story1899.xml

story1899.xml

born-digital

story

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no

2002-09-08

I was at work when one of my coworkers received a phone call from his wife telling him that something strange was going on in New York during a live TV show that was being aired at the time. She told him that a plane had hit one of the Trade Center Towers. At the time, I thought it was only an accident or a flight miscalculation of some sort. Then, she excitedly called back and said that another plane had hit the second tower. We hurried to the TV in our conference room to see what was going on. It still didn't register with me at this point that it was anything other than a freakish accident, or a bad bit of disaster epic being created for the movies.

As the news continued on, we all came to the realization that these definitely were no accidents, but aggressive acts of terrorism, and we were sickened by what we were viewing as we watched the screen intently. Some of us cried during that time as I remember. I couldn't help but think of the people in those buildings, and of the desperate and helpless families who had to witness this event as it was unfolding before their eyes, aware that their loved ones may be trapped inside. It was a sickening thing to watch, and still is for me. That was my personal experience of that tragic day on September 11, 2001. My only hope is that it may never happen again.