|
|
|
#2131 | Wednesday, September 11th 2002
|
My husband and I were on our honeymoon in Italy, we had just spent the day driving the Amalfi Coast. We returned to our quaint hotel in Positano that evening and the owner came to me and pulled me in front of the TV and at the same time telling me that my father had called and to call him as soon as possible. I couldn't understsand what was happening because everything was in Italian.
I ran upstairs to my husband and we spent an hour trying to get family and friends on the phone, but we were not succeeding at all. Finally we got back in front of a television (still in Italian) but were able to see what was happening back home.
We were devastated and couldn't reach anyone we knew. Luckily we did finally reach a few people and found out that everyone we knew was safe.
All we wanted to do at that point was come home to be with our family and friends, but we couldn't fly home until the 15th. We tried to enjoy the rest of the honeymoon the best we could. One thing I would like to say is as strange as it was for us to be in another country while all of that was going on back home, everyone we came in contact with in Italy was so friendly and sympathetic. It at least helped a little to be around such compassionate people.
We talked to people in the airport for hours while we were waiting to board our flight, people that we never would have talked to for that long, but Americans were searching out Americans just to feel a little closer to home.
I hope that the patriotism that the USA is feeling remains as strong as it is today and my thoughts and prayers go out to all those who lost someone they love, I can't imagine what you're feeling and only hope that with time you can move on and live off the good memories that you have with that loved one.
God Bless America
|
JM | 27 | New Jersey
|
#2105 | Wednesday, September 11th 2002
|
I was at home enjoying the sunshine in Bristol England. I was in the garden as the weather had been quite warm for this time of year. My Mum called me and told me to put the news on - this was at 1400 hrs fifteen minutes after the first plane had hit. I watched in shock the unfolding events - still chatting to my mum on the phone. I was in utter disbelief that i watched the second jet crash in to the second tower. I felt sick to my stomach at the thought of what I had just seen. People actually were jumping from the buildings, it felt sureal. I cried when the towers fell, cried for all the families who would never meet again. I can honestly say that no single event has affected me so much not even the death of our own Princess Di.
|
Liz | 27 | United Kingdom
|
#2072 | Wednesday, September 11th 2002
|
Sept. 11, 2001 I was in St. Paul, Minn.
I woke up late, and was late getting to work. I was taking it easy that day, kind of feeling depressed about some events in my life. Usually, i got up at 7 and turned on NPR, but that morning, no radio. When i was half-way to work, i turned on a local music station, thinking maybe some tunes would lift my spirits. But there were no tunes. Just some strange talk about planes hitting buildings. I thought "This must be one of those wacked extreme radio... wait a minute, this is for real!!!" I was stunned beyond belief. I parked my car in the parking lot and sat there for a half-hour, listening to the accounts of events. Finally, i went into the office and called my usual coffee-buddy. We went down to the cafeteria and watched the TV there, with about 50 other people who couldn't bear to sit at their desks. We saw the towers collapse, live.
I spent the whole day checking on the news. I didn't do any work for about 3 days. I couldn't. I couldn't put on any makeup or even look in the mirror. Nothing i was so concerned about was even important anymore. I prayed with my friends, lit a lot of candles, and cried for many days.
A year later, my life has changed a lot. I moved to another country, where every day i mentally compare the pros and cons of the USA vs. other countries. I think i have changed, in that i have this idea in the back of my mind that life is fragile, and that the stupid things i'm concerned about today are really not that important in light of the fact that lives can be altered in a matter of minutes, anyday, anywhere.
|
Rachel | 27 | Italy
|
#2070 | Wednesday, September 11th 2002
|
I was working as interpreter for the deaf, hard of hearing and speech disabled with our relay service. We were doing training, and when we first heard the news, we thought it was just a drill. Two of our coworkers were here from D.C. and one of them had a sister at the Pentagon. About 50 of us at first, then close to 200, just stood and cried as we heard the details. At 26, there's not really been too many tragedies that I can personally remember, except the Challenger incident. As a former police officer, I was so proud of the boys in blue, and the support of the American people for them, and the work of all the emergency personnel. But it also hit me personally, as though I had actually lost part of my own family in the tragedy. Everyone knew someone, or was linked in someway, to what happened. It was so terrible, to hear of all this, and not know where the terrorists would strike next. It was also very difficult to have to continue working, listening to other Americans deal with the tragedy. I was impressed though, at the committment I heard from my peers- everyone, young and old, poor and wealthy, even Gen X, we were all willing to fight for our country, and what we believe in. The days following 9/11 became an opportunity for togetherness for Americans, regardless of religion, race or creed. God has blessed America, and sometimes it takes the "Refiner's Fire" to bring us closer to Him.
|
S.R. | 27 | Tennessee
|
#2056 | Wednesday, September 11th 2002
|
I was at work. I was actually being "loaned" to another group and was walking across campus. My cell phone rang and it was my mother. She said "ya know this show I am watching is awful, it appears that the WTC was bombed." I then explained that maybe it was a movie or documentary talking about the attacks of 93. We went on talking for a few moments and then she shreiked "oh my god--this is not a movie a plane just hit the WTC" Around that time I had reached my destination. I then told her to find out what was going on and call me back. When I arrived in the building nothing seemed strange. Everyone was going about their business as usual. I then began to wonder if my mother was losing her mind. Approximately 10 minutes later (after the idea of what my mother described began to wear on me), I walked up to a close friend and mentioned that my mother had stated that something was going on at the WTC. The two of us then decided to get online and check it out. Within 5 minutes of looking online everyone knew. We were literally all crying. I felt awful! We had people in our group traveling that day and even some of our group in New York. I was devastated to the point that I had to go home from work and I literally sat and cried for days while watching everything unfold. Today as I drove into work I noticed that the sun was shining on my building and our flag was flying half-staff. All the memories of 1-year ago have taken over. I find myself again, wanting to go home and cry while watching television. I cannot imagine what people are feeling today. I only know that I feel terrible. God Bless
|
Brandi | 27 | Indiana
|
< | showing 6-10 of 57 | >| >>
search again
|
|
|
|
|
