story8822.xml
Title
story8822.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2002-12-16
911DA Story: Story
How did uou witness history on September 11th? Share your experience.
"I'm Membership Chairman of the PTA and I planned to write PTA membership cards that morning. It's a boring task, so I turned on the television. I was shocked when I saw screen. The first tower had already been hit, and smoke was billowing. I was stunned, and I jumped up and started flipping channels. I listend to numerous excited newscasters explain what was happening, and I couldn't believe it. I started to cry. Then I ran to the telephone and called my husband at work. I was surprised when I talked to him that he already knew, but he hadn't called me. I spent the morning transfixed, actually all day and evening, watching in horror as further disaster unfolded. I kept writing PTA membership cards like a robot. I kept crying on and off. I feared for the future; World War III was on the horizon. I considered picking my daughter up from school. I called my daughter's school and found that it was under lock down. I decided to leave there. All day I noticed jet planes were roaring overhead."
Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell me how.
"My life personally has not changed significantly. Airline travel is more difficult and cumbersome now. This sprong when my daughter and I flew to a baby shower, we experienced the higher security. We couldn't drop our luggage off curbside; my daughter's school scissors were confiscated. Our bodies were scanned, and we had to sit down to have our shoes scenned. I'm more concerned about being prepared for a disaster now, and I read articles about how to prepare for a biological incident. I put some supplies away, and I've gone to internet sites to read more. I read more about current events and lool for omens of impending war. I fear for my chidren and grandchildren's future. One of my friends is the wife of a SEAL. I listen with new interest to her insights about military congflict. I'm amazed at how she is resigned to the possibility of her husband's death. I worry about my 22 year old son, and whether there will be a military draft again. My husband's import business is affected because container shipping by ocean is slower and more expensive. The stock market has crashed and the World Economy is uncertain. Our investments have lost 15% or more.
Q3. What do you think should be remembered about September 11th?
The United States is not invulnerable. It's brought home that terrorism is a worldwide problem, and a global war is a real possibility. We need to beef up our security and drastically improve communication between agencies like the CIA, FBI, state and local governments, and immigration. It's made us more aware how insulated and complacent Americans have become. We live in great comfort and have great liberties but don't appreciate it. September 11th has made us more aware of this. September 11th has been a powerful reminder of how fragile human life is and the importance of family and friends. We need to be less concerned about materialistic things and having more belongings. The love of our family and friends is the most important, and we need to make them our highest priority. The events of September 11th have brought many people back to God and made them reevalutate the meaning of life. We need to learn more about other cultures and religions so we are able to be more tolerant of different beliefs. September 11th taught us how ill-informed and close-minded many of us have become. Most importantly, September 11th should remind us all of the amazing power of the human spirit and its resilience. This was an incredible demonstration that herosim lives inside all of us.
Q4. Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Hav eyour feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th?
No, we did not fly an American flag at home, but my husband did fly a flag at work. I did purchase a flag window-cling and several small American flags. I saved the two paper flags printed in the newspaper to put up. Our civic league posted a flag at our community's entrance. My feelings haven't really changed but my sense of patriotism is stronger. I've noticed a lot of articles about flag etiquette and read them with interest. I think that everyone feels greater patriotism in the United States. September 11th united the diverse American people and brought us together, united us as citizens of the United States.
"I'm Membership Chairman of the PTA and I planned to write PTA membership cards that morning. It's a boring task, so I turned on the television. I was shocked when I saw screen. The first tower had already been hit, and smoke was billowing. I was stunned, and I jumped up and started flipping channels. I listend to numerous excited newscasters explain what was happening, and I couldn't believe it. I started to cry. Then I ran to the telephone and called my husband at work. I was surprised when I talked to him that he already knew, but he hadn't called me. I spent the morning transfixed, actually all day and evening, watching in horror as further disaster unfolded. I kept writing PTA membership cards like a robot. I kept crying on and off. I feared for the future; World War III was on the horizon. I considered picking my daughter up from school. I called my daughter's school and found that it was under lock down. I decided to leave there. All day I noticed jet planes were roaring overhead."
Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell me how.
"My life personally has not changed significantly. Airline travel is more difficult and cumbersome now. This sprong when my daughter and I flew to a baby shower, we experienced the higher security. We couldn't drop our luggage off curbside; my daughter's school scissors were confiscated. Our bodies were scanned, and we had to sit down to have our shoes scenned. I'm more concerned about being prepared for a disaster now, and I read articles about how to prepare for a biological incident. I put some supplies away, and I've gone to internet sites to read more. I read more about current events and lool for omens of impending war. I fear for my chidren and grandchildren's future. One of my friends is the wife of a SEAL. I listen with new interest to her insights about military congflict. I'm amazed at how she is resigned to the possibility of her husband's death. I worry about my 22 year old son, and whether there will be a military draft again. My husband's import business is affected because container shipping by ocean is slower and more expensive. The stock market has crashed and the World Economy is uncertain. Our investments have lost 15% or more.
Q3. What do you think should be remembered about September 11th?
The United States is not invulnerable. It's brought home that terrorism is a worldwide problem, and a global war is a real possibility. We need to beef up our security and drastically improve communication between agencies like the CIA, FBI, state and local governments, and immigration. It's made us more aware how insulated and complacent Americans have become. We live in great comfort and have great liberties but don't appreciate it. September 11th has made us more aware of this. September 11th has been a powerful reminder of how fragile human life is and the importance of family and friends. We need to be less concerned about materialistic things and having more belongings. The love of our family and friends is the most important, and we need to make them our highest priority. The events of September 11th have brought many people back to God and made them reevalutate the meaning of life. We need to learn more about other cultures and religions so we are able to be more tolerant of different beliefs. September 11th taught us how ill-informed and close-minded many of us have become. Most importantly, September 11th should remind us all of the amazing power of the human spirit and its resilience. This was an incredible demonstration that herosim lives inside all of us.
Q4. Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Hav eyour feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th?
No, we did not fly an American flag at home, but my husband did fly a flag at work. I did purchase a flag window-cling and several small American flags. I saved the two paper flags printed in the newspaper to put up. Our civic league posted a flag at our community's entrance. My feelings haven't really changed but my sense of patriotism is stronger. I've noticed a lot of articles about flag etiquette and read them with interest. I think that everyone feels greater patriotism in the United States. September 11th united the diverse American people and brought us together, united us as citizens of the United States.
Collection
Citation
“story8822.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed December 19, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/9699.