story3315.xml

story3315.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I remember exactly where I was when I heard that the first plane hit the World Trade Center. I remember thinking how strange it was for a plane to be flying that low and in the area of the World Trade Center. I was on my way to work from Bryant School in Dubuque, where I just finished my weekly mentoring session with Willie, my mentor child for the last six years. By the time I reached work, the second plane had hit the second tower, and they radio was telling everyone that it was highly possible this was a terrorist act. My first response was total disbelief. How could anyone intentionally fly a plane into a building? How could anyone in their right mind attack the United States like this and think they could get away with it? Total shock was my first response. No one at work could function - we turned on the radio and listened intently. We just couldn't believe what was happening. The phones, which are normally very busy, were quiet. The entire building was quite. TV's were moved into the conference rooms so everyone could see what was happening. I think everyone felt the same way. I went home for lunch and after work and watched what was happening on television. I watched, cried, and talked to my family and friends. I didn't get a lot of sleep that night. In the days that followed, the names of people who died were released and of course there were family members here and in surrounding towns. After several days, I finally quit watching what was happening on television. I just couldn't take any more. In the days since, there are very few days that go by that I don't see or hear something that reminds of me of what happened. But the thing that sticks out the most for me is when President Bush reminded us that the attack was not just on America; there were people from 80 nations represented in the World Trade Center buildings. The attacks were really against humanity.

There are those who think the American public will forget what happened. I don't believe anyone could every forget what happened. I've been watching the television programs that are meant to serve as a memorial to those we've lost and observed a moment of silence this morning. I think we should make sure that we honor those who died on this date every year, much the same way we observe December 7th as Pearl Harbor Day. I now know how my parents felt. I'm glad that September 11th will be observed as Patriot's Day.