story1466.xml

story1466.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-25

I was in class at St. Cloud State University when I first heard the news. The department head came in and told us that the world was ending and that one of the Twin Towers had been hit by a plane. Of course, none of us believed her; we all thought she was kidding until she went on the internet and showed us. The room was eerily silent as we read about the plane hitting. We tried to continue working, but it was no use. All we could talk about was the Twin Towers. I remember visiting them about a year and a half earlier. I was in complete shock, unbelieving to what was going on. I couldn't believe that the towers that I saw just a year and a half earlier were gone.

We were let out of class early that day because the concentration was completely gone. I went home and immediately turned on the TV. I then called my dad to see if he had talked to my mom yet. She was in Michigan and was supposed to be flying home that day to Minneapolis. I didn't think that Minneapolis would be a major target, but I couldn't help worrying about her. I kept my eyes glued to the TV for the entire day. My mom called me at 2 to let me know that she was ok. It was a relief.

Looking back on 9/11 makes me realize how important family is. Before then, I took them for granted. I feel increadibly lucky to have made it through that day. A friend of mine lost two aunts and an uncle in the Pentagon attack. God bless America and those who helped out during this crisis and may God watch over those that lost loved ones.