nmah5602.xml
Title
nmah5602.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2003-08-21
NMAH Story: Story
My experience isn't nearly as interesting as many people's stories because I live in Orlando, FL. But on that morning, I had gone into school early to help a teacher friend of mine out with some Camera help in our school TV studio. We were talking and he left the room for a few minutes. I had gone on the computer to check some info on a flight of mine that I was taking in a couple months when all of a sudden... my teacher friend came running through the door saying, "Did you hear what happened to the WTC in New York?" I said, "No, what happened?" He said, "I dunno... let's turn on these tvs and check it out." Being we were in a TV studio, we had about 10 TVs on every news channel in Orlando. Every one of the TVs had the same shot of the two towers, one with a big hole and black smoke coming out of it. We were watching in dis-belief, wondering what was going on. While we were watching, all of a sudden another plane comes flying in to the other tower. Everyone in the room gasped or screamed. We wanted to keep watching it to find out more info but 9:30 rolled around and it was time to go on the air for the morning news. We wanted to air some video tape we took of the planes while it was happening (thanks to my friend, we taped it) but the Principal of the school said he didn't want to cause panic in the school and we were not to even mention it the students. So we ran the show like normal and when the anchors said, "Good morning Piedmont Lakes, Today is Tuesday, September 11, 2001," I knew that this day would not soon be forgotten. So we did the show and all went to our respected classes and very few kids were aware of what was currently making history in the World. However kids who knew what happened were quickly spreading the news and a few kids even starting crying. We went on with our day like normal and the Principal emailed the teachers telling them not to mention or talk about what was happening or they could lose their jobs. I saw this email because my teacher-friend showed it to me. But my 3rd period U.S. History teacher decided we shouldn't be left in the shadows and not know what was happening. She told us that both towers were hit, both collapsed, the Pentagon was hit, and a plane crashed somewhere in Pennsylvannia. Everyone in the room was in awe and shock. As soon as she finished saying this, she got a call telling her to send me the main office and that I was checking out for the day. I thought to myself, "YES!" My mom was in the office and took me home. She said she knew I'd want to know what was going on since I love Airliners and I was so glad she did. We went home and as soon as I turned on the TV, I started to cry. I couldn't believe the disaster that NYC was in and the way the Pentagon looked. I popped in a video tape and recorded the next 4 hours of CNN. I figured I better tape this because I want to be able to show that I saw September 11 for myself. Even though I didn't live in either of these places effected, my heart was severely effected.
NMAH Story: Life Changed
My life has changed a little but not much compared to many people. I can't do what I use to love to do, and that is go and walk around the Orlando airport for hours every other weekend and watch planes. Also, I look at life very differently and cherish each day more as if it was my last.
NMAH Story: Remembered
The Heroism of everyone in New York and D.C. and on flight 93. Also I will never forget how Patriotic and pround of the USA everyone was and still is to this day.
NMAH Story: Flag
Yes I did for quite a while. Everywhere I turned, I pretty much had something to do with the USA. My feelings have deeply changed about the flag since 9/11 because now when I look at it, I think of everyone who has ever died for our country, including 9/11, and I realize how lucky I am to be free.
Citation
“nmah5602.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed November 25, 2024, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/47417.