nmah1505.xml

nmah1505.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-08

I was listening to a local radio station while getting ready for work. They were getting a weather update from a local TV weather man and the weather man said, "Someone has flown an airplane into one of the World Trade Towers." It was said almost as a joke, although now I think it was more disbelief. I turned on the TV in the bedroom and was watching it on the news when another plane came into the picture. I was stunned as it slammed into the other tower. I remember saying, "oh my God, it crashed into the tower." I obvoiuosly said it very loudly, because I woke my husband up.

I went to work, listening to the news all the way there. The third plane, and then fourth, seemingly unstoppable. We watched on the TV in the breakroom as the first tower fell and then the other. I remember thinking, this can't be happening, we live in America.

I don't think my everyday like has changed. I still go to work, take care of the family, buy groceries, all the normal daily activities. However, my security has been shaken. In my life, the only war I knew was in Vietman where my dad went twice. We cried and waved goodbye as he left on the plane. We reunited to hugs and a smiling dad. While he was gone we watched on the news as the fighter jets flew over other countries. The sight of bombers flying over New York and Washington is a picture I can't shake. We are not so secure that war can't happen in our own backyard. I have even had dreams about planes flying over at night and seeing parachutes fall from the sky with hundreds of soilders. Knowing they were after us I would have to hid the family and look for weapons to protect them. (My husband is disabled, I guess that's why I feel I will have to protect us). I don't remember having "war" dreams, even as a child.

Another change I have noticed is my dislike for the news. While never a big news person, I did try to keep up with current events. Now, I would love to slap several of the national newspeople. I have been aware, for what seems like forever, of "secret" plans and places for government officials in the event of war. I believe the idea of "oh, no, we have no president," (or vice president or whatever), would only add to the choas of a nation possibly at war. But for newspeople to sit and look into the camera and say, "Where is President Bush in all of this", "Why would a president go to Louisiana". I knew why the sevret service did it, why didn't they!!!! Do they really have freedom of the press to tell EVERYTHING? I really don't think we need to discuss war plans on the nightly news! After all, if a country attacking us has weapons, planes, tanks, soldiers, etc., it is pretty much a given they have DISH Network!

For a brief time, color did not matter. Women's rights did not matter. Republican or democrat did not matter. The only thing on EVERYONE'S mind was band together, help each other. Someone was attacking us, and we, as a nation of ONE, had to stop it. It reminds me of brothers and sisters, I can slap my brother, but God help you if you do!!

I have always had an American flag flying from my porch. My parents have always done the same thing. I guess being a "military brat", God and country were always part of my life. To answer your question, no, my feeling about the flag have not changed. It is still a symbol of all I hold dear!