story1206.xml

story1206.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-19

I woke up about 6:30 am that morning and headed for the restroom, as I usually do. The first thing I do is turn on the radio for the traffic and weather. I was greeted by a grave news reporter's voice giving a live report about the second plane hitting the towers. I called to my wife, and we both turned on the news and watched in shock. My mother called me, and she kept repeating over and over: "They hit the Pentagon... they hit the Pentagon."

Not knowing what else to do, my wife and I watched the news as we got dressed for work, wondering whether to go in or not, or how long we would stay. We decided to go to work.

I work at the Calif. State Library, directly across the street from the State Capitol, and when I arrived there was a stunned look on everyone's face. The first tower had just fallen. Police were stationed everywhere about the capitol, blocking off entrances with their cars, looking serious. People were milling about under the overcast sky; some were crying, others looked shocked. Some were gathered around people who had radios and portable TVs. Throughout the building, very few people could work. After about and hour, the work came: everyone was to be sent home. My wife, who works for the Social Security office, was also sent home.

We went home, and all day long, we sat and watched the news, called friends and family, and wondered about the future to come.