nmah6520.xml

nmah6520.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-05-11

I always turn on Good Morning America while getting ready for work. I turned on the TV and jumped in the shower. When I came out, I sat on the futon to watch the show and at first thought Diane Sawyer was annoucing an upcoming segment for 20/20 or one of those news shows. As I was running late, I turned off the tv and left for work. I was living in Las Vegas at the time so, we were 3 hours behind New York time. I didn't realize what had happened until I arrived at work. My friend Michael was listening to Public Radio and he told me the World Trade Center had been 'hit' by airplanes.

That evening I sat in front of the tv until 2 or 3 in the morning. The next day I remember going to work and thinking "this is not right" we should all be in a church praying.

Immediately my place of employment began laying off workers as conventions were cancelling left and right. Barely had the events of September 11th hit home emotionally and Encore, where I worked, started laying people off.

That Friday a group of us went to a Catholic Church were a memorial was held. I cried and cried for the loss of human life, to me, was overwhelming.

I remember thinking "oh my God, what about Olivia?" Olivia is my daughter and she was to turn 5 years old on that following Sunday. I say I thought about Olivia for I truly thought the end of the world had come. And I was so worried that my daughter and I would not be able to grow old together. I keep thinking, what type of world will we have after this? -- I love this little girl so much, please don't let anything happen to her or to us.

I lost my job on September 20th and so did about 20,000 people in Las Vegas. My lose of a job was nothing compared to the loss of the 3000 innocent people who died that day.

My life has changed forever as I feel America has changed forever. I no longer carry the feeling of 'being safe' by living here.

Also, I was compelled to visit the World Trade Center site to pay my respects to the souls that died there. I made the journey, in 2003. I prayed the rosary at the site and sat across the street, in the park, for hours. Somehow, I felt that if I sat near the fallen towers, those who had died would know I will never forget them.

I never found work in my chosen field again. Perhaps I didn't want to for producing conventions for flooring manufactuers and huge corporations seemed silly compared and a waste of time.

I instead, became a Security Screener for TSA. A proud Screener, as I feel, somehow this is the only way I can do anything to help protect the country I love.

I now continue my work for TSA, and Homeland Security at TSA Headquarters in Orlando, FL. I went 'home' to Florida as I wanted to be closer to those I love. I shall stay in Government Service for as long as I am able, for I believe in America, and I also believe we each have a respoinsibility to keep this country safe.

The People who Died.

The Children who now grow up without a father or a mother.

Innocent Lives Gone Forever.

Yes - and I continue to do so. I now have a flag on my car and at home.

I think the American Flag is the most beautiful thing on the planet. I want to see her wave proudly forever and ever and ever.

The flag, to me, is a symbol of our freedom. The Flag respresents a United People, joined together forever under those stars and stripe !!

I am so proud to be an American !! I am so very very proud !!