story9730.xml

story9730.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-09-11

The tragic events of September 11th
by Nancy Sanders

I am writing this one month to the day after the tragic events unfolded on September 11, 2001 and changed our world forever. It was one of those days that you can never forget, and will always know where you were and what you were doing when it happened. This is my story.

I had driven up to my parents house to see my grandmother, who was visiting from Massachusetts. We were sitting on the couch chatting and had the news on. We were planning a day of shopping and lunch. All of a sudden, the station cut to breaking news from New York. We watched the burning building in horror as they explained that a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center Towers in New York City. Our reasoning told us that it was some kind of terrible fluke, an accident. We were glued to the television and watched in complete disbelief as another plane struck the second tower. It was then that we realized that it was a deliberate act. They soon announced that a plane had just struck the Pentagon, and another crashed in Pennsylvania. The realization the plane crashed into the Pentagon rattled me so much because it really meant that somebody was seriously attacking our country. This was no mistake. When I heard about the Pennsylvania crash, I remember telling my grandmother that I just knew that we would be hearing stories of heroism, for there is no way that plane was meant to simply crash in a corn field.

The whole time these events were transpiring, I could not stop thinking about all of the people that are desperately trying to evacuate those buildings, and all who had perished. I thought about the poor people on the planes who must have known what was happening. I then witnessed the most heartbreaking, horrible, unthinkable event I had ever seen. The first and second towers collapsed within minutes of eachother. As the first tower came down, I became completely hysterical. I was crying for those who had died that very moment. All of the rescue workers that had gone into the building, all of the people trying to evacuate, anyone on the ground underneath the toppling buildings. Anyone watching that helplessly watched knowing their family member was inside or in the area. I was crying for our nation's safety. I cried for the bravery and horror that took place simultaneously. I had never imagined I would witness such terrible events in my lifetime. From that point on, it was as if time stood still. We were riveted to the TV and couldn't leave the house. We were so afraid for our safety and didn't know what was coming next.

The days and weeks after this event were filled with enormous sorrow, uncertainty, worry, and pride. The effect it has had on our nation as a whole has been staggering. Our skies were empty, as the President had shut down all air traffic. I told my children to go outside and look at the clear contrail-free sky, for I hoped it would be the only time in their lifetime they would ever have to see it. Hope has turned to despair as time wore on and there were no survivors pulled from the wreckage. Today, the recovery workers are still trying to dig out remains of victims, and for their families there has been no closure. The economy suffered terribly, layoffs abound. The stock marked plunged and surged out of control. There have been scares of germ warfare with an Anthrax outbreak in Florida. There is still uncertainty as we began the bombing of Afghanistan just a few days ago. We are at war with a stealthy and sneaky enemy. One who has no regard for life, who hates America and all we stand for. Didn't he know who he was dealing with? This will make our nation stronger.

I also witnessed the most amazing thing. Americans standing up for our country, pitching in where needed, collecting funds, and displaying our patriotism, standing shoulder to shoulder with pride. People have the American flag everywhere, on their car windows, on their car antennas, on their homes. Red, white and blue ribbons everywhere. People wearing flag, and patriotic shirts. I am proud to be an American! This is truly an AWESOME country, and God Bless the men and women and children that have died in it's name, whether as a warrior in battle or a brave victim. And may God bring comfort to their loved ones.