story6337.xml

story6337.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

As usual, I was running a little late and running out the door to work. I frequently have the TV on while I get ready and was just about to turn it off when they started showing the damage to the first Tower. No one could believe it was anything, but an accident until we all watch as the second Tower was hit. I became numb as I realized that this was no accident. I continued on my way to work and listened on the radio. I got to work and was watching a very bad picture on the TV there, when the Tower's collapsed. It looked like a war zone from some movie.

I work in the 911 industry, (training, protocols, software, etc.) and we had just had one of our trainers in New York - he had left the day before. There was such fear at work, none of us really knowing what to do. Some employees called in to say they didn't dare come downtown, others, like me, just sat looking at the TV, trying to comprehend what was happening. It was months before things were back to any type of normal day to day procedures.

I am not one of those women who cry at the drop of a hat, but to this day, I can't get through the National Anthem without feeling a great sense of loss, but also a great sense of patriotism. We have survived worse and with the help of each and the God above, we will be triumphant. God Bless America!