nmah206.xml

nmah206.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-19

I was driving down the freeway in Houston where I live, with my wife when I heard on the radio that a plane hit the first building. My first thoughts were there had been an attack of some kind. The possibility of a plane hitting the WTC on accident was hard to believe. Several minutes later when the second plane hit, I think the whole country knew we were being attacked.

Upon reaching my office, we piled into the kitchen along with everyone else and watched the horrific scenes of the buildings collapse playout in utter disbelief.

It wasn't long before the emotions of shock and disbelief turned into fear, anger and rage and the desire for revenge.

I don't take anything for granted. Before 9/11 I took for granted I would see my family at the end of the day. Not anymore. I thank God each and every day for my wife and children and that I have the ability to be with them.

First, is the obvious. It was a day that cowards murdered an awful lot of our countrymen.

Secondly, from the passengers on the doomed flights who fought back, to the firemen and policemen who ran into those buildings, to the scores of other rescue workers who gave their lives trying to help others, their actions showed the rest of the world what courage in the face of adversity really means. These people represent the finest that this country has to offer. These people truly were heroes.

Yes I did and continue to fly one. I have always been a patriotic person and have strong feelings about our country and our flag. Our flag has always been and continues to be the symbol of everything good in a world that seems to have gone mad.