nmah331.xml

nmah331.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-20

I was going to hang clothes outside on the line and decided that I should check the weather...living in Minnesota, you never know what the weather holds on any given day. I turned on the TV and caught the initial reports of the first plane having hit the tower. As I watched I was kind of disinterested because I assumed it was some unfortunate soul commiting suicide in a grand manner. I filled my basket with my clothes and came out in front of the TV again, watching in horror as I saw the second plane crash into the other tower. At that moment, it was obvious that this was no accident. Then my fears came racing to the surface. I thought about Minneapolis and how it might be in harms way. I wondered if I should run to the school to pick up my girls so that we would be together if our time on earth was coming to an end. I had endless thoughts going through my mind...and there was no way I was traveling into downtown Minneapolis to go to work. I watched in anticipation, waiting for the media to report any new information. They announced that all flights were ordered to land. They were still waiting for a few unaccounted planes....then finally all planes were down. Then the first tower collapsed...then the next...at times I felt I was watching a thriller movie, and that the credits would roll on the screen, and this would all be over soon.

My heart was racing all day, and I was fighting back tears as I watched the endless newscasts. The fear I felt is indescribable. There was overwhelming sadness I felt when I thought about the countless lives that were lost and the pain I knew the loved ones would experience for the rest of their lives.

I have always considered myself true to my country, but more than ever, I feel the love I have for this land and the people in it. Each day I think about how fortunate we are to be Americans. I pay more attention to the news of the world, and pray that countries will find peace and love in their hearts for their fellow humans. I never fail to tell my family how important they are to me and how much I love them. I fear for the future of my children and their children.

I don't know how anyone could forget 9-11-01, but let us not forget the courage of the individuals that were on sight. -- Those that gave their lives trying to save others. -- Innocent victims and those they left behind. Let us always remember to not take life for granted. Let us always feel our blood running red, white and blue. Let us not forget that we must fight evil and not turn our backs and ignore it.

I have put a flag outside my house and flags in the corners of the windows on my vehicle. It has brought out the deep sense of American pride in me that was laying dormant or hidden in the tranquility of every day life in America before 9-11-01. I have always been attentive during the national anthem, but now there are emotions that surface each time I hear the song and see the flag...I am proud to be an American and I'm not afraid to say it out loud.