story5341.xml

story5341.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

Though we were nowhere near the areas that were attacked,I was at work, my husband at home, and our son in school. A client called me when she cried out "Oh my God a plane just hit the Twin Towers." Keeping me apprised, she stated another plane hit the Twin Towers. I called my husband who had not heard the news, but immediately turned on the t.v. After being on the phone for a while he said "a plane just hit the Pentagon." I was alone in my office, with tears in my eyes and shaking from fear. Then my husband said a plane heading toward the White House, crashed.

I got home, and like everyone in America, we were in shock and disbelief. My family and I held each other for a lifetime that evening and watched the news, our hearts aching for those who lost their lives, anger at those who dared attack this great country, but knowing we would stand tall. Watching the United States unite as one.

We were proud of the way different nationalities came together as one nation. We were proud of the way President George Bush led the nation to survival of this tragic day and his search for those who crippled the United States for a short while.

Today, September 11, 2002, we pray for those who lost their lives, those families who have lost loved ones, relive our memories, watch the horror from one year ago on t.v. Everyday, we get a little closer to healing, and show the world that the United States will not be defeated.

Everyday, I thank God for being a natural born citizen of the United States, thatd my husband became a United States Citizen years ago, and that my son is also a natural born citizen of the United States.

We are proud that we are able to tell America how we felt and still feel about September 11, 2001, though our story is small in comparison to those who were directly affected.

Christine, Emilio and Michael Martinez.