Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: On the morning of Sept. 11th, I was running late. I usually have my morning news show on and leave the house at 8:30am but that day I didn't have the TV on and I didn't leave till 8:50am. As I walked out of the house, I said to myself, what a beautiful day. The sky was blue, the sun was out the air was fresh, I had just returned from visiting family in sunny Florida and couldn't help but think it's just gorgeous out today. I hopped on the J train and started my journey to work. As my train approached "Broadway East New York" station where I transfer to the A train for downtown Manhattan, I heard a man say that the Twin Tower was hit. He said to everyone look out, see the smoke? My immediate reaction was to pray. I thought that a small plane had crashed into the tower due to some pilot error. I kept praying that everything would be ok. Not knowing the intensity of what happened, I proceeded to transfer to the A train. When I reached the A train plaform, I heard a mumble over the loud speaker that the A train was not running into Manhattan. I decided to wait a few minutes and said to myself, "if the train doesn't come in 10 minutes, I'm going back home". The train arrived and I got on. The journey into Manhattan was slow. I had no idea of the intensity of what was occurring at the WTC. Reaching near Chambers St. the conducter announced we were unable to pass. Finally being stuck for about 10 minutes, we went through. I got off at Canal St and walked into chaos. There were people running all over the place, crying and hysterical. Not sure what was going on, I walked towards my building. When I reached Varick and Canal, I looked South and saw the huge hole in the building, not realizing only one building was standing. I stared for a few moments, then went on thinking, I am so late for work. I finally reached the building at Hudson and Canal, when I saw my co-workers running out of the building and crying. They told me the building asked us to evacuate and go back in 15 minutes, some were telling me to go as far north of the city as I can. I still had no clue what was going on. I walked over to a bunch of co-workers and we stood at the entrance of the Holland Tunnel. I looked southbound and could see the remaining tower burning. Several people told me what happened but it still had not hit me. I watched in horror and prayed as hard as I could. Trying desperately to call my family on my cell phone but not having any luck, I stayed close with my co-workers. It was surreal watching the building with a huge hole burning, paper, debris flying everywhere and people jumping out. The whole time I was watching the event unfold, I kept thinking Bruce Willis was going to run up the street and save the day... Soon after we heard the rumble and felt the earth shake. At that moment the remaining tower fell right before my very eyes. This was real! This wasn't a joke. Dumbfounded, I began walking northbound, not knowing where to go. Finally stopping at a payphone, I was able to call home and speak with my cousin. Crying hysterically, all I could think of were my friends who worked 2 - 3 blocks from the WTC. Still unsure as to what was rgoing on, I begged my cousin to call my sister and ask her not to fly to NY. People wandered the streets covered in dust and some with blood and cuts. Finally walking towards the Willamsburg bridge, I was able to stop and wait for a phone. People were running around, screaming. Telling me this was no joke, to get off the island. One woman told me that her friend works for the FBI and told her to get out! It's serious! Do not stay! Frantic, I was not sure what to do. I was crying, scared, and in shock. I decided my only way out of Manhattan was to walk over the bridge. The thought scared me as thoughts of bridge bombings came over me. Somehow I found the strength and walked over the bridge, turning back to look at that island, all I can see was smoke and tons of people ahead and behind me. It was surreal, almost like the crossing of the Red Sea in Moses. At the end of the bridge, people who normally would not say a word to one another were out helping eachother, distributing water to those who walked over. Helping eachother find their way home, offering places for others to stay. After several hours I made it close to home. My cousin picked me up and we could not speak, all we could do was cry and be Thankful that we were ok. The first thing I did was shower, I thought I can wash it all away, every thought of the event. I took a moment to myself and turned on the TV. All I could do was cry. I called my family and friends and was thankful that everyone was ok. I was fortunate to escape the mayhem that occurred that day, but felt guilty that others had not. The serevity of what happened that day had not hit me until I was able to watch the news and get the full scope (Pentagon and the other plane that crashed in the Penn. field). All kinds of emotions overcame me from fear to hatred. The next several days/weeks were the hardest as I prayed for survivors. I prayed that what I witnessed was all just a bad dream. Tears could not stop flowing from my eyes. I feared the end of the world. Not being able to see my family again. Our office was shut down the next few days. When the streets below 14th Sts. were opened again and it was time to go back to work. I was could not bring myself to head out to Manhattan. I struggle to hop on the train. It's now almost a year and I still can't get the events out of my head! I jump at the sound of sirens, I refuse to wear the clothes I wore that day and I can't say as I leave the house "oh what a beautiful day". I'm afraid if I did any of those, something bad may happen again. Everyday, I am reminded of what has happened and everyday I look southwards to see if the Towers are there. I have been to therapy many times and had been able to talk to people about what had happened, however I don't think I can ever erase the images or the sadness that is embedded in me. I pray that we will never ever forget what happened and that we will be there to help one another at all times. I am still overwhelmed by thoughts from people all around the world. May God Bless us all and may we all learn to forgive and learn to live in Peace with one another so that our children will never have to endure this experience. God Bless! Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story1607.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-30 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.168.4.236