story186.xml

story186.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-03-07

Interestingly, I had just started a job at an assisted living facility near my home, and on the morning of 911, several persons from the corporate office in Leesburg, VA were visiting our facility. Not everyone had arrived, so, many of us were just getting acquainted. At around 9:15, someone in to tell us that a plane had hit the WTC. A few staff members headed for the closest TV set located in the Memory Lane Alzheimer's unit. Soonafter, a woman from corporate ran back to announce that a second plane had hit the other WTC tower. By that time, we were in shock...slowly realizing that the first hit was not likely an accident after all. What really pulled my heart into my throat was when we heard that the Pentagon had been hit. By now, I was terrified. OUr cellular phones weren't working, and I could not access the internet---I wondered if perhaps it was a terrorist conspiracy to knock out all communications across the country.

Terrifying visuals could wait, therefore, I did not seek out a TV set to see a replay of the second plane hitting the building, or of the two towers when they imploded. When I returned to my home at 4pm, however, I saw for the first time the devastation that descended upon NYC and Washington, D.C. For the next several days (maybe a few weeks,) I was glued to CNN and MSNBC. So much that, I became affected by the tragedy and sorrow...I was heartbroken for the victims and their families.

As an aside,many elderly residents at Morningside house were quite aware of the 911 tragedy and compared it to the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. They were mostly quiet, and I believe, lost in their thoughts, reliving a terrible and momentous tragedy for all Americans and the world.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to offer my thoughts. 911 has changed America and I will never be the same again.

Madonna Parent
Waldorf, MD