story6467.xml

story6467.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

I found out about the attack on the World Trade Center as I was dropping my son of at his daycare. Needless to say, I was in shock and disbelief. I drove to work where we have a laboratory with a 2-story high video wall which was tuned to the live coverage. I will never forget seeing the image of the two buildings against the brilliant blue and cloudless sky, black smoke and flames billowing from the massive destruction. You can imagine my horror when I saw the towers collapse, a burial ground for so many innocent lives - all shown on a 30-ft screen.

As a descendant of many men and women who have fought to establish and preserve our freedom since the Revolutionary War, I experienced every emotion that day, all a result of the act of cowards who would try to take that freedom away. Through the strength of the American spirit and the foundation of our beliefs, they failed miserably!

I am thankful every day that I live in this wonderful country. I am inspired by the selfless acts of so many who helped to save their fellow American that day - both physically and emotionally - on the ground and in the air - and by those who struggled to recover remains so that the dead could be properly honored. They are true everyday heroes who represent the human spirit and flame of liberty that we so love.

I believe that we, as a country, have done our best to honor those lost lives, and it is our duty to ensure that such senseless acts of violence never happen again on our soil. I will work to do my part, including imparting my memories of this day to my son so that he may know and will remember. God Bless America!