September 11 Digital Archive

nmah6530.xml

Title

nmah6530.xml

Source

born-digital

Media Type

story

Created by Author

yes

Described by Author

no

Date Entered

2004-05-27

NMAH Story: Story

I live in Miami, Florida. I had just returned home from carpooling children to school. As I came in, I poured a second cup of coffee, and turned on the television. I put on BBC because I had seen the local news earlier.
As I watched the screen, I couldn't believe what I was watching. The United States Pentagon was on fire.
I walked closer to the screen and was nothing short of shocked. I always believed that was the safest place on earth. Almost as if an invisable force field probably protected it.
Then I noticed the news showing one of the World Trade Center Towers on fire. And then they kept showing a plane flying into the side of it.
Suddenly I remembered a movie I saw many years ago called "Red Dawn" where the U.S. is invaded.
I could not believe what I was watching. Even though I lived so far away, I truely felt like I was being attacked. My community. My country.
I immediately made a call to one of my brothers which works at a top oil refinery to make sure he was alright. As he turned on his t.v. we both watched in horror as the second plane crashed into the other tower.
I then dropped the phone and ran out the house. I wanted my children home with me.
I was not the only parent that felt that way.
As we arrived back at our home, I returned to the t.v. and just then the first tower fell. I remember screaming so loud as if my voice could actually stop the building from coming down.

NMAH Story: Life Changed

I am not so sheltered anymore. By this I mean I now know there is no invisable force field anywhere.
I took a flight with one of my children in October of 2001. I felt strong enough as did many other passengers, that if anyone tried to get in that cockpit door, well it wasn't going to happen. No one spoke this, it was just known.
I never knew much about the Middle East before this tragedy. I am now trying to understand. I have found I don't trust Middle Easteners as before. I don't know what they have under their cloths. I really stuggle with this inside myself because I am not a raciest but this is so raciest.
I also find myself defending God more. The God I understand and have faith in would never approve of such horrific actions.

NMAH Story: Remembered

The terrorist ,in my opinion, wanted to destroy faith in our country, and our people. The two strongest symbols of this in our country survived, the steal cross, and the American Flag.
And as the world witnessed, from both of these symbols, faith, both in spirit and mankind has come back stronger.

NMAH Story: Flag

Yes, I flew an American flag after September 11. I am now on my third.
I have always loved the American flag.

Citation

“nmah6530.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed November 23, 2024, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/46850.