nmah324.xml

nmah324.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-20

I was at work for the US Army Corps of Engineers in Omaha, Nebraska. A co-worker walked by and said a plane had struck the World Trade Center in New York City. For the entire office, the rest of the day was devoted to watching the news on TV or on the Internet.

We heard that all flights had been cancelled everywhere in the United States. A little after 2:00pm, I heard a plane approaching and flying overhead. This was very upsetting since we knew that no commercial plane was in the air. It was shortly after that, the news announced that President Bush had flown to Offutt Air Force Base where the Command Center for Strategic Command is located. That's when I realized that the plane I heard overhead had been the President's. It was such a comforting feeling knowing that Nebraska, and Offutt AFB played a role in the 9-11 events.

Definitely more patriotic. I've always been a "flag-waver" my entire life. I've always lived close to the air force base and worked for the government, and I always appreciated the role our servicemembers played in our freedom. But with 9-11, it's taken on a new outlook. I also look at our police officers and firefighters with much more respect than before.

The innocent victims of this terrorist act should be remembered. Thousands of lives were lost. Thousands more were left without parents, children, grandparents, etc. But our country will survive.

I've always been a flag-waver. I always tried to celebrate holidays by flying the flag at home. But it has taken on a new meaning, pride in my country and the way we didn't let this terrorist attack get us down. I will continue to fly my flag. I now have two at my desk as a special remembrance.