story5070.xml

story5070.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I would like to tell three brief stories of my experinces on and shortly after 9/11/2001. On that morning I woke up and turned on the news like I allways do and saw one of the WTC towers on fire and heard something about a small plane had hit . Then there was a split screen with the Pentagon on fire and I understood that there had been an explosion. That`s when I thought 'we`re under attack' . So I called my brother and told him what I thought to which he responed 'Sounds serious' as he was waking himself and trying to process what I was telling him. I noticed I was shaking and hung up and got ready for work. Then there was the second plane hitting the WTC and the waiting for the next plane to hit Washington D.C. At that time my mind was on 'Alert' as my Army training started to come back to me. Even though I was discharged in 1983. My drive to work was strange as I think I was in shock and I had a near miss with a large truck. I felt 'disconnected' and had to force myself to focus. Well I made it to work and suffice it to say that I`m changed now an still find myself on " Alert" a year later.

Secondly, A couple of days later there were no airplanes flying and I was making a delivery in the company van. As I was unloading I heard and felt a terrific noise from the sky above Portland and I instictivly ducked and my heart pounded ! When I looked up I saw two F-15`s that had just taken off from the Portland Air National Guard Base next to PDX. One of them was doing what apeared to me to be left and right rolling maneuvers with after burners blazing while the other was flying in a straight line. People around me were yelling " Go get 'em " and the like while others saluted as I did. They headed south and we all looked at each other and carried on with our business . Feeling Proud.

Lastly, I went to my other brothers home to put up a new flag and noticed a toy Tank on the front steps with the barrel pointed at the sky. Later I learned that little Mikey , who was 6, had put it there to protect his home and his family.

I write this on 9/11/2002 as I watch coverage of the memorials on TV. And it feels good to be able to share my expierience with people now and those who will read this in the future. I pray PEACE and COMFORT for you all.

Michael T. Rogers