|
|
|
#1697 | Friday, September 6th 2002
|
On 9/11, my daughter Linda from New York called and stated......did you know one of the towers was hit by an airplane? I said, yes, I heard about it on TV. As we were talking, she asked me, who do you think did it? I said a terrorist. Just at that moment the second airplane struck the other tower.
I screamed and stated to my daughter the second tower was hit. I just can't believe it. The rest of the day I was glued to the tv unable to believe what was happening right here in our country.
|
Richard | 64 | Florida
|
#1683 | Friday, September 6th 2002
|
That morning I was in our computer room (third bedroom) exercising. I’m on disability from the state of Michigan, where I worked as a secretary for 22 years. I always watch TV at this time of morning, when the Today Show broke the news that a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers. As with most, I assumed it was an accident. I called my husband into the room to see it. He was not at work that day. Then the second plane hit and as with ALL, knew it was no accident. The phone rang. It was my sister-in-law in Michigan. She was sobbing. Her younger daughter, 8 months pregnant with the first grandchild, worked right across the street from the World Trade Center, the Federal Building. I knew my niece worked in NY, but did not know the exact location. I panicked, but tried to clam her Mom. Her Dad, my brother & my only living immediate family member, and the ‘ love’ of my life, was golfing and oblivious to the severity of the situation. My husband wanted to go out and I tried for a while, but had to go to bed with a migraine. Family members phoned me throughout the day to find out about my niece and I kept in touch with my sister-in-law. Her niece, who worked nearby, was with her by then. We didn’t know whether my niece, the baby, or her husband were alive all day. It was excruciating. Since I have no children, I’ve always considered my brother and sister-in-law’s two daughters mine also. This niece was the baby and especially dear to me. Around 4 pm we heard that she was safe and in Brooklyn, where she had ran, pregnant remember, to see her doctor and spend the night with friends. It wasn’t until 6 pm that we heard the my nephew was safe also and had made it home to NJ from Wall Street. It was the most exciting news I believe I’ve heard in all my life. If you want to read her story, see mm NJ.
|
Carol | 57 | Florida
|
#1666 | Thursday, September 5th 2002
|
I can remember it like it was yesterday!! I was sitting in my 2nd hour buisness class when another teacher told my teacher to turn on the news!!! At first it didnt really hit me what was going on!!! I never really thought that something so drastic could happen to the United States!!!! Then I was in 3rd hour English when the second plane hit!! I can remember my teacher crying because of all the people on the planes, and the innocent standbyers who were hurt or killed!!! I trid to get a holed of my parents but the lines were all busy!!! School basically stopped for the rest of the day!! There were TVs setup in every room!!!! Even in the cafetira so that people could see what was going on!!! Ever since that day nothing has really been the same!!! They tried to hurt Americas pride and destroy our unity!!! But to me they failed!!! They brought us more United and made us realize that life can be taken in a minute........ to take advantage of your life now!!! I think Septemeber 11th will forever be ingraved in the heads of teenagers!! For this is the first war that we have fully gotten to experince!!! I personally can not wait until the people who did this fianlly get their pay back!!!! Until then I will pray for the families who lost loved ones in this unfortunate attack!!!! God Bless America!!!
|
T | 17 | Florida
|
#1665 | Thursday, September 5th 2002
|
I was born 9/11/45, shortly after WWII ended. Nothing of huge importance seemed to have occurred on my birth date – something that nagged at me through the next 56 years. (Be careful what you wish for.)
On 9/11/01 I was at work in St. Petersburg Florida, trying to ignore my increased age when I heard someone say a plane had crashed into one of the twin towers. I imagined a small plane, a Cessna, perhaps flown by an errant pilot. A moment later I heard that the second plane had hit. I knew immediately that this was an intentional terrorist attack. I sat in horror with the rest of the world as the terrible events unfolded.
I have always loved my flag and have flown it proudly – especially during trying times such as the Gulf War.
It means much more to me now. I feel a certain kinship with others on the roads who have chosen to display our flag on their vehicles. Along with the deeply ingrained love of my country and my flag there is now a strong sense of defiance for those who would attempt to disrupt our freedom and our democracy. Don’t even try it.
I wrote the following poem for Aunt, a nephew, and myself who share birthdays on 9/11:
Conversations with God and Publix
(For Patrick, Sr. Marcy and me)
Part I. Conversation with God
Please, Sir, may I change my date of birth?
No, not the years
I've earned them - every one - for what it's worth
Just the date
Formerly inconspicuous, unobtrusive
Typed anonymously into the 254th square of my DayMinder ® calendar.
No war began or ended on that day
No Magna Charta signed
No pilgrim landed
No mention in the dusty tomes of history
Just the beginnings of three familial lives
Brought forth in consecutive generations
By couples seeking warmth and love on a December's night
But now
It doesn't seem right to celebrate a day
When towers burned like candles on a cake
And sacred ashes frosted the streets and
Seared the lungs and disbelieving eyes
Of those who prayed
That they could make a wish
And blow out those candles
And stop the fall of metal, glass and flesh
That wrapped those unexpected gifts to God
I understand
I know You must not undo what has been done
And anyway
To change a date
Is not the healing answer to the question
Instead we will stand strong and resilient
(The common American denominators)
And celebrate life
On a day so tragically marred by senseless destruction
Part II. Conversation with Publix:
“What colors shall I frost this cake for you?”
“Please, Sir, make it red and white and blue”.
© Cynthia Ann Conciatu, 2002
|
Cynthia | 57 | Florida
|
#1635 | Saturday, August 31st 2002
|
I had just recently been burgularized in my college apartment, and had the radio on 24 hours a day. I remember waking up hearing that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. Thinking to myself, "That's not good... must have been a single engine plane that lost engine power." I then remember turning on the tv to make sure I wasn't dreaming, and seeing the second plane hit the World Trade Center. I sat there frozen knowing this could not be an accident. Having to face the day at school and help to facilitate a class, I knew I had to get moving. I didn't want to be sitting alone in my apartment looking at the tv with pure shock and fear. After calling my mom, I proceeded to take a shower. I got out and next thing you know the pentagon has been hit. I was scared to go to class, but knew I had to go on with my day-to-day life. I went to class and everyone was in shock. We all gathered around tvs set up in our student union. I remember looking around me gauging the reactions of others. Some were very emotional, others just in pure shock. I'll never forget Sept. 11th, 2001, and nor should anyone. United We Stand.
H.A.S.
|
Harlee | 21 | Florida
|
<< | < | showing 21-25 of 64 | >| >>
search again
|
|
|
|
|
