story441.xml
Title
story441.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2002-04-20
911DA Story: Story
I know I'll never forget the morning of September, 11, 2001. I'm a flight attendant and I was on a layover in Burbank, CA when my phone rang within minutes of the first impact at the World Trade Center. I rubbed my eyes, and turned on CNN, only to see the second aircraft flying directly into the second tower. At first I thought that this was a bad movie scene, and then I realize that this was real~~very real.
Within minutes, my cell phone began ringing as did both pagers. I oversee our EAP (Employee Assistance Program) for the Association of Flight Attendants at Alaska Airlines, and I carry an emergency pager on behalf of this program and our airline. My pager read the first of MANY text pages of updates on cancellations, and eventually the complete grounding of the nations' aircraft. I knew that this was only the beginning.
I wasn't concerned with the fact that I couldn't get home~~my concerns were with my brothers and sisters who gave their lives heroically on those four flights, as well as the loved ones they left behind. My concern then turned to my coworkers, and the fears that we were all facing of our occupations and the way that this horrific event has forever changed our careers, and what that continues to mean.
Seven months after this infamous day, the fears have not subsided~~yet changed. If anything, as I put on my uniform and go to work, I do it for those who did the very same that fateful morning, not knowing that thier precious lives were soon to be cut short. I do it out of pride of who we are as Americans, and this great nation in which we live. I grieve for the "life" I've left behind, but I live for a future in which I know my freedom will be protected and preserved.
Respectfully,
Melody Respeto
Within minutes, my cell phone began ringing as did both pagers. I oversee our EAP (Employee Assistance Program) for the Association of Flight Attendants at Alaska Airlines, and I carry an emergency pager on behalf of this program and our airline. My pager read the first of MANY text pages of updates on cancellations, and eventually the complete grounding of the nations' aircraft. I knew that this was only the beginning.
I wasn't concerned with the fact that I couldn't get home~~my concerns were with my brothers and sisters who gave their lives heroically on those four flights, as well as the loved ones they left behind. My concern then turned to my coworkers, and the fears that we were all facing of our occupations and the way that this horrific event has forever changed our careers, and what that continues to mean.
Seven months after this infamous day, the fears have not subsided~~yet changed. If anything, as I put on my uniform and go to work, I do it for those who did the very same that fateful morning, not knowing that thier precious lives were soon to be cut short. I do it out of pride of who we are as Americans, and this great nation in which we live. I grieve for the "life" I've left behind, but I live for a future in which I know my freedom will be protected and preserved.
Respectfully,
Melody Respeto
Collection
Citation
“story441.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed January 10, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/6889.