story6940.xml

story6940.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

The morning of September 11, 2001 is, like most Americans a time I remember with a combination of nauseating sadness and fear. As a member of the media, I was both able to be a part of the spread of information and witness the chaos as reports flooded in. I don't think I really put together what was happening until my partner called, realizing that as a member of the news corps, I would probably be one of the very few "essential personnel", unable to be with my family in the circumstances,. He wanted to say that whatever happened he loved me. There were several hours of tension as we waited for the continuation of what we thought was the inevitable barrage of terrorist activity spreading from the east to the west. We all came up with reasons why our area of the country may be a target, and why it may not be. Even in Toledo, several hundred miles from New York or Washington; I, and many of my co-workers and friends new people who were unaccounted for. I remember feeling both very alone and sort of supported by what I hoped would be some sense of usefulness. It's been a year, and I still am momentarily shocked at the events. I truly don't think that will wear off. The months after September 11 held more tragedies like the fall of the stock market and the companies that closed as a result, or the unbridled nationalism that threatened to squelch free speech or government criticism. I think back to early 2001 and 2000 and remember them as a halcyon period.