nmah122.xml

nmah122.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-08

I'll never forget the memory of being awakened by a phone call from my wife's sister the morning of September 11. The tone in her voice told me immediately that something terrible had occured. She shouted for me to turn on the television. Never in my wildest imagination did I expect what I saw when I turned it on. As the image of the World Trade Center on fire appeared on the screen, I was instantly overcome with a surreal feeling of shock and horror. Over the course of the next several hours, as the news of a fire at the Pentagon and airline hijackings came to me through the tv, my feelings changed. First to fear, then finally anger. I spent the next 36 hours glued to the television.

My life has not changed significantly since September 11. I spend more time watching the various news channels in an attempt to better understand the world as a whole, trying to make some sense out of this event. As I have become more aware of the world that exists outside of our borders, I have come to appreciate the freedoms that I enjoy as an American more than I did in the past.

The obvious answer is the victims of this crime against our country. We should never forget those who were murdered and those who gave their lives trying to save them. We should also remember the American spirit that always seems to come forth in our people in trying times such as this. We should all strive to keep that spirit alive during the good times, as well as the bad. During the weeks after September 11, were were a nation of Americans. There were no hyphens in our citizenship.

Yes, and I continue to do so. As a child, I always thought it was kind of odd that my Grandfather flew the American flag in front of his house year round. This was a man who risked his life in a world war to protect that flag. I am just now getting a sense of the pride in the American flag that he carried throughout his life. I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my Grandfather's sacrifice to his country during the war years. The nations debt to him and all of our veterans can never be repaid. In tribute to them, a flag flies year round in front of my home. God bless them all...and God bless America.