story7553.xml

story7553.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-15

On that morning, I was over my aunt's house to watch my godson. She had just left her job and I went over anyway to watch my godson while she was looking for another one. That was a rough morning for me and I was taking a nap on the couch while he was napping too. My aunt was cleaning and the TV was off. I vaguely remember hearing the phone ring. The next thing I knew my aunt was turning on the TV and waking me up saying that the WTC towers had been hit by planes. I was still kind of out of it but when I saw what had happened I woke up real quick. I was in shock. I called my mom at work and told her. It was just so unreal. Then I heard that the Pentagon was attacked. I have a relative that works at NSA and he is in that area sometimes plus it was real close to home. I called my godmother to see if she had heard from him but she hadn't. She told me not to worry that he was fine.

I'm lucky I suppose that I don't know anyone in New York City but I have relatives that do. I called my family in Seattle. I just had to make sure everyone was alright. Everyone was fine and accounted for thank God. I found out later that my relative at NSA was ok but he had a close call. He was at an early morning meeting that morning and had left the Pentagon about 10 minutes before the attack. Now it is very important that I spend as much time as possible with the ones I love and tell them often how much they mean to me. It has brought to heart just how fragile and precious every life is.

I spent that entire day watching TV for news about what had happened and for a week or more afterwards. It was like reliving it all over again but I had to know what was happening. I'm very proud of our leaders and their response to this horrific attack on us. When I heard about the people on Flight 93, I was astonished and proud to be an American. I can only imagine what they must have been going through in their last moments. My hearts go out to them and the ones they love.

I live in Richmond about 2 miles from the airport and the National Guard air field. The absence of airplanes during those first few days was eerie. I hated hearing the fighter planes fly because I never knew if something else had happened but at the same time it was reassuring that they were there to protect us. When the airplanes began flying again it was like things where almost normal again. I was never much of a flyer and I haven't been on a plane in the year since the attacks. I would like to think that I would fly again if I need to. I would like to think that I won't let these cowards keep me from living a normal life.

It's been fairly easy for me to go on with my life. September 11, 2002 was a very difficult day for me. I stayed home all day watching the memorials. I cried most of the day and still do when I think of all those people who died in a senseless act of terrorism. It's kind of strange for me. I'm a big history buff and love to learn about the events that have shaped our lives, made our country and others stronger, and changed how we look at the world. This is the first time I have ever really been directly affected and this is one of the pieces of history that I wish had never had to live through. The memory of this tragedy is imprinted on my mind, my heart and my soul forever. I will never forget the courage and compassion of the heroes or the sacrifice and selflessness of those who gave their lives to save so many others on that fateful day. We, as a country, will never be the same but we are already showing that this has made us stronger and more united then ever. The only thing the terrorists have accomplished is to make us angry and strengthen our resolve to end terrorism in every and any form in which it exists.

My love and prayers go out to the victims and their families. May God be with you always.