story5494.xml
Title
story5494.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2002-09-11
911DA Story: Story
From: Frances (Original Message) Sent: 9/11/2001 10:07PM EST
September 11, 2001 will be forever marked in our hearts as a day of tragedy and loss. This morning is especially hard for my family and I, as my mother has sent word via email that my cousin is counted among the missing.
I had always felt that emotionally my family was prepared for anything. My father retired after serving the Army 22 years in 1995. My younger sister joined the Air force in 2000.
During our childhood my father was a great source of pride for us. He was strong, proud, and admired by many. He raised us in Germany and during the Gulf War we actually weren't as scared as most, because we knew the "daddy" could handle anything.
In Germany during that time we saw tremendous acts of terrorism. Car bombs, assassination reports on the news, and even several bomb threats at our DODDs schools. We were well prepared emmotionally and I don't believe that we ever really were scared. We knew that our soldiers would protect us.
I am 26 years old now, married and all grown up. Yesterday I was terrified! Today I am full of sorrow, worry, and anger. All my life living amongst soldiers and on bases I had been prepared by my mother and father and taught that we were to be strong in the face of danger, tragedy, and war. My parents made us understand that anything could happen to my father because he was a soldier. We were prepared for my father injuries during the Gulf War.
When my sister joined the Air force last year, we were all so proud of her. Yesterday when I first heard of what was happening at the WTC, I was shocked and immediately called her, she told be that she was being called in for briefing and we said our "I love you's" and hung up.
I was not scared. She is trained. It's her job. I was prepared. But this morning when I heard that my cousin was missing I wasn't prepared. My cousin is a civilian. My mother and father never prepared us for the loss of a civilian family member and we are beside ourselves with grief.
Her name is/was Adianes Cortes, she may be also listed under Adianes Cortes-Oyola (she just got married 6 months ago) she's 24 years old. She worked in the South Tower of the World Trade Center 78th floor - Fugi Bank Corp. Her husband made it out he worked in the 60th floor, the airplane crashed unto the 78 through 80th floors. We have not heard any word on her whereabouts.
My family asks that we pray for Adianes and all those who are missing or dead. My sister emailed a prayer that is most comforting.
"Almighty God we ask that you fill this solemn moment with the majesty of your presence. Our hearts are saddened by the loss of these who have given their lives to sustain the gift of freedom. We ask that you comfort their families and friends and help fill their emptiness with hope. We also pray for those gathered here today and those with us in spirit. Make us creative in using your resources and brave in the face of our enemies. Give us the wisdom our situation calls for and the compassion that inspires an end of oppression. May we be confident that the heroes we honor today have not died in vain. Amen."
May God bless us all to ease our nation's pain,
Frances M Siple
------------------------------------------------------------
From: Frances (Original Message) Sent: 9/11/2001 10:07PM EST
I had a good day today. I was very proud of my family, country and of the ceremonies that we attended on base (Fort Gordon). The soldiers looked so handsome, so proud and so very comforting to me.
Today is the anniversery of the loss of my cousin Aidenes and although she and I never met, I feel a great sense of loss. I am terribly saddened that she left this world without knowing that she had cousins in Ga.(albiet through marriage) I just pray that my auntie and husband heal. That Aidenes' husband can be whole again someday.
Bless you all,
Frances in Georgia
September 11, 2001 will be forever marked in our hearts as a day of tragedy and loss. This morning is especially hard for my family and I, as my mother has sent word via email that my cousin is counted among the missing.
I had always felt that emotionally my family was prepared for anything. My father retired after serving the Army 22 years in 1995. My younger sister joined the Air force in 2000.
During our childhood my father was a great source of pride for us. He was strong, proud, and admired by many. He raised us in Germany and during the Gulf War we actually weren't as scared as most, because we knew the "daddy" could handle anything.
In Germany during that time we saw tremendous acts of terrorism. Car bombs, assassination reports on the news, and even several bomb threats at our DODDs schools. We were well prepared emmotionally and I don't believe that we ever really were scared. We knew that our soldiers would protect us.
I am 26 years old now, married and all grown up. Yesterday I was terrified! Today I am full of sorrow, worry, and anger. All my life living amongst soldiers and on bases I had been prepared by my mother and father and taught that we were to be strong in the face of danger, tragedy, and war. My parents made us understand that anything could happen to my father because he was a soldier. We were prepared for my father injuries during the Gulf War.
When my sister joined the Air force last year, we were all so proud of her. Yesterday when I first heard of what was happening at the WTC, I was shocked and immediately called her, she told be that she was being called in for briefing and we said our "I love you's" and hung up.
I was not scared. She is trained. It's her job. I was prepared. But this morning when I heard that my cousin was missing I wasn't prepared. My cousin is a civilian. My mother and father never prepared us for the loss of a civilian family member and we are beside ourselves with grief.
Her name is/was Adianes Cortes, she may be also listed under Adianes Cortes-Oyola (she just got married 6 months ago) she's 24 years old. She worked in the South Tower of the World Trade Center 78th floor - Fugi Bank Corp. Her husband made it out he worked in the 60th floor, the airplane crashed unto the 78 through 80th floors. We have not heard any word on her whereabouts.
My family asks that we pray for Adianes and all those who are missing or dead. My sister emailed a prayer that is most comforting.
"Almighty God we ask that you fill this solemn moment with the majesty of your presence. Our hearts are saddened by the loss of these who have given their lives to sustain the gift of freedom. We ask that you comfort their families and friends and help fill their emptiness with hope. We also pray for those gathered here today and those with us in spirit. Make us creative in using your resources and brave in the face of our enemies. Give us the wisdom our situation calls for and the compassion that inspires an end of oppression. May we be confident that the heroes we honor today have not died in vain. Amen."
May God bless us all to ease our nation's pain,
Frances M Siple
------------------------------------------------------------
From: Frances (Original Message) Sent: 9/11/2001 10:07PM EST
I had a good day today. I was very proud of my family, country and of the ceremonies that we attended on base (Fort Gordon). The soldiers looked so handsome, so proud and so very comforting to me.
Today is the anniversery of the loss of my cousin Aidenes and although she and I never met, I feel a great sense of loss. I am terribly saddened that she left this world without knowing that she had cousins in Ga.(albiet through marriage) I just pray that my auntie and husband heal. That Aidenes' husband can be whole again someday.
Bless you all,
Frances in Georgia
Collection
Citation
“story5494.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed December 23, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/8161.