story9307.xml

story9307.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-05-10

On September 11, I was actually asleep when my roommate who is now my sister in law ran out of her bedroom yelling to me that something bad happened in New York. Considering that I was half awake and half asleep I said out loud "What!". All my friends and most of my family here in Washington know that I am originally from New York State. I sat up on the couch as she turned the TV on and we all sat there and watched the horrific scenes on the television. My heart fell to the pit of my stomach because the rest of my family only lives 200 miles away from NYC. I asked her if I could use her cell phone to call my mother. She agreed and I did with no luck. For some reason my connection to my mother never happened. I then told my roommate that I would try to call my mother when I got to work. I do security for a living and as I arrived to work for my shift I was informed by both the Supervisor and Account Manager that we were in high security alert for the company that we did security for. We were also to show concern and compassion for those around us during this time of sorrow and anger. Our reason for being on high security alert were because of bomb threats to the company that we do security for which is known nationwide. Then everyone on my shift received little red hearts with red,white and blue ribbons on them to honor those in New York. I then was able to telephone my mother to make sure she was ok. She said yes she was and I was relieved to hear that. I told her I was ok too and would call her later that week and talk to her some more. As time went on, I remembered hearing about the security personnel that lost their lives in the WTC and thinking I am here doing this job for a reason. My prayers and sympathy goes to all the families all over that lost loved ones no matter what their purpose was for being there that day. Not a day goes by when I dont think about what happened on September 11th. I even travelled back home nine months after the attacks by plane knowing that something could happen. I wasnt scared and I wasnt going to let someone make me scared. I am proud to be an American. God Bless the USA!!!!