102 20 2325 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Loved ones left without closure. For You For you my mother,father,sister,brother, Daughter,son,husband,wife, For you my grandfather,grandmother,aunt,uncle Niece,nephew,cousin,godmother,godfather, Neighbor,friend,the unborn. I cannot explain What happened today You will understand it More than I The madness of this day 9/11. I do know,I love you And I am sorry for The burden and pain This has caused My leaving,as you grieve. For unwillingly I have left you I am alone But not in my heart That they did not take. For within each Moment you have cried For me and prayed For my return I was with you In your heart. If all was possible I would be At your side But you realize now I will not be coming home. Keep me with you Go on with your life Knowing that I loved you For the days we shared And the memories I have left with you I know they have Come too soon. But know this I will love you beyond The days of silence Always, For you my mother,father,sister,brother, Daughter son,husband,wife For you my grandfather,grandmother,aunt,uncle, Niece,nephew,cousin,godmother,godfather Neighbor,friend,the unborn For you are the ones I loved. By Lorraine Stark NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah5607.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-08-23 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.25.89.241 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. Although I was born in Brooklyn, New York and lived there until I entered university, I currently live in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. My daily routine includes switching on the television in my bedroom to local news while I am getting ready for work to prepare myself for the weather and traffic conditions. My next step is to begin my personal hygiene ritual, starting by brushing my teeth. While I am away from the screen of the television, I listen to the BCTV morning news. As I was brushing my teeth, I heard a statement to the effect that everyone was asked not to use water so they could maintain water pressure to fight the fire downtown. I immediately ran to the television, at that time thinking Vancouver was engulfed in fire. To my horror and dismay, I saw that it was actually one of the towers at New York's World Trade Center that had been struck by a jet plane. My initial thought, as I'm sure was the initial thought of many others, was that a plane had inadvertently and tragically gone off course, creating the current situation. As I continued to watch in horror, I saw the second tower struck. I immediately knew, this was no accident, but was in such a state of shock, I could not fathom what was happening. I immediately screamed for my husband to come upstairs to witness what was happening. While he was tremendously affected as well, he, in his usual manner, tried to keep me calm. I was glued to the screen, but tried to also telephone my family in San Diego and Chicago; trying to act responsibly and sensibly, I did not try to contact any of my relatives in New York. I was unable to get a line to any long distance telephone numbers. Knowing I had to get to work, I am a career counselor at a local community college, I continued to listen to the news while getting ready for work. I listened to the radio all the way to work, and kept the radio on my desk tuned to the all news station. I soon discovered that although I was at work, I could not work. I was very distracted, emotional and distraught. It was also very unsettling to be amongst mostly non Americans. Vancouver is extremely multi cultural , and although I mainly heard shock, horror, fear and sympathy, I also heard anti American remarks. A huge screen was erected in the atrium of the college to broadcast the unfolding news. I was not the only individual away from their desks watching the big screen intently. The vice president of the college arranged for counsellors to be available to talk with anyone in need of their services. I kept vacillating between shock, disbelief, fear, and sorrow. My mind kept racing to how America would respond. In the 1980's, I worked as a civilian for the Commander Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet for eight years while living in San Diego. I was very fearful that further attacks might result in immediate retaliation. I also believed that Pakistan, Iraq, and Korea have access to nuclear weapons. I was so frustrated at not being able to contact my family by telephone, and in desparation emailed my niece in San Diego. Surprisingly, the email got through and she responded. I suppose I was concerned that San Diego could be the site of a terrorist attack. When I learned that even Disneyland was closed for the day, I knew I was not alone in my fears. I spent the majority of the day rushing between my desk and the big screen in the atrium. At about 2:45 p.m. PST, I dashed out of my office to view bombs exploding in Afghanistan. Not even focussing in on the fact that the local factions in Afghanistan were at war, my emotions got the best of me, and I thought retaliation had begun. At that point, I left the college and returned home. I watched CNN all through the evening, night and into the morning of September 12, 2002. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I have always been a light sleeper and cannot sleep with a light on or any noise. For one full month after September 11th, I slept with the lights on and the television tuned to CNN 24 hours a day. I was NEVER without access to the news. I subscribed to CNN breaking news email alerts on my computer at home and at work. I felt like I HAD to know what was going on at all times. I could not sleep for fear of something happening that I would not know about. My birthday is September 25th, and a large celebration had been planned prior to Septmeber 11th. I requested that the party be cancelled. I did not feel like celebrating. I burst into tears continually and did not smile. I could not imagine a time when I would or could go back to life as it was before September 11th. I became quite critical and intolerant of my non-American friends, co-workers and acquaitenances. I was outraged by the emails I received invoking pacifism, inferring that "we" were taking the wrong path by sending troops to Afghanistan. Thanksgiving comes to Canada the second Monday in October. The Canadian holiday comes at the same time as the U.S. Columbus Day three day weekend. I declined all invitations to Thanksgiving celebrations. I sat glued to the television, many of those days not even taking the time to get dressed or eat so that I would not be away from television news. The moment I heard that we were at war with Afghanistan, I stopped answering my telephone. I could not bear to listen to my former contacts. I considered them naive and simplistic, sometimes even as cowards and traitors. My greatest enjoyment had been reading literature, self help books and fiction. The only reading I now did was the newspaper, with the television, and sometimes even the radio turned on. By January, I could go to sleep with the radio and television turned off, but I had to turn them on whenever I woke through the night. I was waking about once an hour by then. I could not focus on anything but my desire to go to New York. I did not know what my purpose was, or what consolation or insight I might get from my visit, I just knew I HAD to go to New York. Luckily, my husband recognized the importance of my goal and made it happen. I did not want to fly to New York, not due to fear, but because I wanted to drive across the country to see how my fellow Americans were dealing and coping with the tragedy. I went to Ground Zero on the first of June , albeit after all traces of the destruction were removed. However, I did see 16 desolate acres. I saw my fellow Americans across the country flying American flags from their homes and vehicles. I saw strong, proud, determined individuals dedicated to keeping our country unified. I found New York a much kinder, gentler place. I was so proud of my fellow New Yorkers and so happy to see that life went on almost the same as before September 11th. I was heartened to see that the only difference was passion, patriotism and the commitment to the spirit of America. Now, I can sleep through the night most nights. I only tune to CNN two to three times per day. I am becoming more tolerant of different viewpoints, but part of me is still very raw and ready to strike out against anti Americanism. I pray for our country and the world every day. I pray for wisdom and peaceful coexistence. My fear is that only the first of those prayers will be answered. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The one thing that I think should be remembered about September 11th is the spirit of the American people. Yes, I believe the bravery, courageousness, sense of duty and dedication are very important aspects to remember. And, yes, I believe it is also important to remember the kindness and outpouring of love and assistance. But I think all those things sum up the American spirit. In Canada, there is a beer commercial touting "I Am Canadian"; I believe Americans should always display on their person, "I Am PROUD to be American". NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? American flags are hard to come by in Canada, especially after September 11th. On September 12th I brought my Statue of Liberty replica, that I had gotten on a Girl Scouts field trip more that 40 years before, to work to display on my desk. I downloaded the American Spririt graphics for my computer desktop. I took red, white and blue ribbon and twisted them into a forget- me- not pattern and pinned it to my clothing. My mother immediately sent me a small needlepoint American flag that she created so that I could display it on my briefcase. I was able to order a Swvaroski crystal American flag that I pinned to my coat. I eventually was able to get an American flag and fly it from my home. My feelings about the American flag and its symbolism are very important to me. Firefighters displaying the American flag at the World Trade Center captured the feelings I had and continue to have in my heart. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah716.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-01 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.139.198.194 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. It was a perfect fall morning, the air was crisp and fresh, the sun was bright, and here in New England the first of the leaves were beginning were beginning to turn orange. It started, as a day like any other; I was working in the business office of Lowell General Hospital. At least half of us usually have a radio on all day, but the batteries in my radio had been dead for about a month and I had yet to replace them. Therefore, the first indication I recieved that anything was amiss, was when a coworker heard on her radio that a plane had just hit the WTC in New York. Most of us first thought that it was just a terrible accident, but moments later when it was announced that another plane had hit, we were left with little doubt that we were under attack. My first thought was to be grateful that I had no friends and family in New York, but then it occured to me that one of my best friends from high school had just taken a job at an airline and I could not remember which one. I sat at my desk clutching the cross I wore around my neck, praying and trying not to cry. I tried to call one of my other friends to see if she could remember which airline Crystal worked for, but I was unable to reach her because the cellphones were not working. It was an hour or more before I was finally able to reach Crystal and find out that she worked for an airline that was not invloved in the crash. I was so relieved, but it made me think of other familes and friends who would not be so lucky that day. Most of us wandered from desk to desk listening to the news and expressing our disbelief. Other reports came trickling in of missing planes, another crash at the Pentagon, a crash in Pennsylvania, other planes flying in closed air space. None of us knew what to believe. It felt like we were in a scene from a movie, with all of our major cities being destroyed and left us wondering if our neighboring city of Boston was next. I remember being so scared, feeling our world changing and knowing none of us would ever be the same. Our supervisors were trying to get us to go back to work, but none of us could focus. The Chaplain offered a prayer service and most of us, of all faiths, gladly went. Sitting in the auditorium waiting for the service to begin, I watched for the first time, the news footage of the second plane hitting the WTC and it shocked and devestated me. Seeing the loss of innocent lives before my very eyes, the moment our country, our world changed forever. I became addicted to the new coverage, afraid to miss a single detail. While at work I listened to radio reports for the search for surviors, on my breaks I read the newspaper, and at home I watched the non-stop news coverage. I followed the progress of the people at ground zero, listened long into the night as they told of people trapped below, waiting for even one to be saved. I was afraid to shut the TV off at night. I needed to be able to wake up at any point during the night and check the progress of the searches and make sure there had been no more attacks. It took almost a year for me to be able to go without having batteries in my radio or not buying a news paper and checking the news contstantly. I was so afraid to be caught by surprise by another attack. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, our whole world has changed and nothing seems the same. It is as if there are two worlds now, pre 9/11 and post 9/11. So much innocence was lost that day. For at least a month after the attacks I saved the newspaper everyday knowing that someday I will need to explain this to my son, who was born the next fall. I hope that he will never experience anything like Septemeber 11, and at the same time I know this will mean that he will not be able to understand how we all felt that day. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that we need to remember the victims who unwillingly sacraficed their lives, the heroes, who took down the Pennsylvania plan, thereby avoiding a larger tragedy. I also think it is important to remember how for one moment in time, Americans came togeter as one in definace of an enemy who sought to destroy us. If we could live each day like that, what a difference we could make. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, I have the had a flag on my computer at work everyday since the attacks, I fly one in my home and have one on my car. The flag to me is a symbol of our unity. It is a symbol of pride. We used it to send a message....America is not buildings, planes....America is Freedom and you can fly a plane into our buildings, you can take the lives of our innocent, but we will still be here, waving our flag and crying out for Freedom. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah5672.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-09-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 4.21.168.36 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I saw the World Trade Center collapsed.I saw people jumping to their death. I saw a man and a woman held hands on the way down. Their was a fire fighter were sill going in when the World Trade Ccenter collapsed.One of the fire fighter ducked under his truck and emerged to see everone else in the squad deading . I saw doctors helping other people.People couldnt see what was happning in the World Trade Center... NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I feel sad becaues of the people who lost people or family in the World Trade Center. I feel sad because it could happento any body . I feel sorry for the people who lost family in the World Trade Center. When i go to New York i feel sorry what happen in New York. I feel sad for the people who saw the dead people like all the worker in the World Trade Center. GOD BLESS US NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah2807.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-10 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.12.96.70 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. When I woke up on September 11, 2001 it was about 6:30 am and I just turned on the television. What I saw amazed me. The pictures on the television screen horrified me to full extent. I saw the World Trade Center's two tallest buildings being hit by Boeing 747 Jetliners. As I saw the towers fall, I was so shocked I cried. I didn't want to go to school that day, but my parents made me. I was kinda glad because school was a place that I got to talk about the terrorist attacks on September 11. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has changed dramatically since the happenings of September 11. I have become more patriotic, more caring for other people, and most of all, I have become aware that there are some sick and twisted people out there that hate our country, but America stood together and became stronger than ever before. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think what should be remebered about September 11th is how courageous the firefighters were going into a burning building and trying to save the lives of other Americans. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Of course I rasied a flag in honor of those who died. I know feel that I should salute the flag everyday and that will remind me that I am a true American. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah4350.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 67.227.168.124 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. i was in school and i was taking notes and then our secratery came in and told us to turn on the news so we did and Pesident Bush was talking and at first from what he said I had thought that two planes had crashed in the air and then they showed the piture of the first tower burning and then I knew. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. i don't really think so because i really wasnt involved although i will be able to pass this story on so i guess in a way my life has changed NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? well i think that all the familys of all the peple who died and also the people who really did die. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? yea my grandpa did at our cabin and that was kool because all the people on the lake has a flag out on there deck. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah1974.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 206.176.192.102 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I woke up late that morning. My father was already watching it on TV. I sat down in front of the TV just in time to see a woman jump out of the hole in what was left of the 100th floor of the World Trade Center. I can't imagine ever having to make that choice...burn to death, or jump from the 100th floor of a skyscraper. I see that image everyday in my head. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I try to take a little time everyday to give thanks for being alive. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I must say that I am greatly offended by our cultures lazy and disrespectful need to refer to the trajedy of september 11th as "nine eleven". Don't the people that died that day deserve better than that? NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I don't feel the need to fly an American flag to show my patriotism. As an artist though, I have given much thought to using the flag in my artwork. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah6267.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-09-15 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.163.253.97 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I witnessed history during second hour English class. One of my fellow classmates came back from the rest room and told every one that the World Trade Center had been hit by an air plane. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. It has not changed my life at all. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that all of the people that were in the World Trade Center when the building collapsed on Sept.11 should not be forgoten about because I feel that these people along with the firefighters were the bravest,because they had to deal with death even though they weren't ready to and to me that is a brave act. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I did not fly an American flag due to the fact that I havent in the past and I feel why start when something bad happens. You should always be patriotic no matter what. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3447.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.8.162.66 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was in my office in Fairfax, Virginia on the phone with a work colleague, when one of my staff members came into my office and turned on the television. When the phone conversation concluded, she told me that she'd heard that a plane hit the WTC which is what was shown on television. At that point in time, no one knew the size of the plane and I thought it was a small plane. I went ahead and convened our department staff meeting and we proceeded to have a normal meeting. After the meeting, we all went back to my office to see if there had been any updates. There were. By then, the second WTC tower was hit and shortly thereafter, the Pentagon was hit. While I was horrified to see the WTC attack, it was the Pentagon attack that hit close to home. After all, my mom, Lorraine Grant, and my father-in-law, Jerry Henson, were working in Pentagon. My husband, Neal Henson, worked in an office building directly across I-395 from the Pentagon. I am a strong person, one who grew up exposed to terrorism when I grew up on military bases overseas during the 1970s and 1980s, so it was easy for me to compartmentalize terrorist attacks and evaluate what happened while shutting out the emotions. The Pentagon attack changed it all. I could not get ahold of my mother. I could not get ahold of Neal. I knew his building's location provided a great view of the Pentagon, so I didn't know if it had been damaged in the attack. I was shaking, but at the same time trying to hold it together. After all, until there was bad news, there was nothing really to worry about, was there? I kept trying and trying to reach my mom and Neal; no luck. Finally, my sister-in-law, Kelly, called me and said that all of the people in Jerry's office had been accounted for except for my Jerry and one of his co-workers, Jack Punches. It was at that point, to my horror and shame, that I realized I'd been so focused on my mom and Neal, that I hadn't thought of Jerry. Finally, after about an hour, my mom finally called in. Fortunately, she and my dad were in Maryland. Neither had gone to work that day because my dad had a medical appointment. I filled them in about my father-in-law and told them I'd update them when possible. I left work and headed over to my in-laws' house. At that point, I felt that since my parents were safe, that I needed to be strong for my mother-in-law, Kathy, and Kelly and keep praying for positive words about Neal and Jerry. Finally, we got word from Neal that he was fine. His building was evacuated and he and his co-workers were wandering around Pentagon City, not sure what to do or where to go. They kept getting conflicting reports of more incoming planes, etc. Finally, he rounded up his carpool participants and headed to my in-laws' house. It was some time later, that we received word from an urgent care facility's emergency room that Jerry was on-site and being treated. He would then be moved to the Virginia Medical Center in Arlington. As soon as Neal arrived, Kathy, Kelly, Neal and I headed over to the hospital. We then found out that he was being treated for smoke inhalation and some wounds to various parts of his body. The good news was that he wasn't burned and he was conscious. He recalled the plane hitting the building and then being trapped under his desk by office furniture and other debris. He recalled the choking black smoke of the plane's fuel. He recalled the heat of fire. He recalled being rescued from his office and taken out of the building. He didn't recall who his rescuers were. Over the next few days and weeks, more of what happened became known. Thanks to a media interview on MSNBC, Jerry was able to meet two of his rescuers (the U.S. Navy's Captain David Thomas and Lieutenant Commander David Tarantino)and learn more of what transpired on the 11th. They explained how they came to his office, how they happened upon him and how they were able to free him from the debris that trapped him. My family was very fortunate that day. My parents were safe. My father-in-law was injured, but none of the injuries were life-threatening. We would all get through it. Jerry's co-worker, Jack Punches, did not make it out of the Pentagon, however. While many things about September 11 are crystal-clear in my memory, many other things are a blurr. I suppose that's only naturual given the circumstances. I think what was most clear was that all of the members of my family had a mixed sense of profound sadness and gratitude. We all knew it could have turned out much differently and our joy at being intact was tempered with our attempts to understand what families like the Punches experienced while they awaited word of their loved ones, only to be told the worst possible news. That night, as Neal and I drove home from my in-laws' house to our home in Loudoun County, we saw people along the road with American flags and candles. Such a simple gesture, but one with so much meaning. It was a fitting way to cap off a day that was so inexplicable and tragic. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Prior to learning of the Pentagon attack and realizing that both my mother and my father-in-law could have been killed that day, I was someone who didn't let acts like terrorism affect me. My father was a career Army officer. We lived overseas in the 1970s and 1980s, when episodes of anti-American activity were not uncommon. From a very early age, I knew of terrorist groups like the Bader-Meinhof Gang, the Red Brigades, Abu Nidal, the PFLP, Red Army Faction, Fatah, etc. I was trained to observe my neighborhood and alert someone if I saw a suspicious person, package or situation. While episodes such as the Achille Lauro hijacking, the bombing of the LaBelle disco in Berlin or Pan Am flight 103 were horrific acts, I processed what happened in an almost clinical way. In fact, some of this led to my choice to study terrorism in my undergraduate and graduate eduction. I thought other Americans were naive to believe that terroristic acts executed in foreign countries could never happen here. I firmly believed they would occur here at some point, but I could not have imagined the scale of what occurred on September 11, 2002. What September 11, 2001 changed was the clinical examination of an attack. On September 11, 2002 it became personal and I let it in. While I was able to be strong for my in-laws in the period immediately after the 11th by taking them places, running errands for them, helping them prepare for a media interview, etc., shortly thereafter, it began to get to me. I actually went to counseling. This may not be a big step for a lot of people, but it was a huge step for me. I always felt strong and able to handle anything that came my way, but I couldn't handle this alone. I'd let it in and that angered me. I felt like I was letting the perpetrators win by letting their attacks affect me. Though counseling, I learned that it was okay to be angry. It was okay to let this situation affect me. It had hit close to home -- what else could be expected? I don't think I've changed dratically since September 11. I think the changes have been more subtle. While I've always been aware of my mortality, that day helped hit home the fact that mortality may not be the result of a long-term illness that, while tragic, allows you to make peace with it and say goodbye to your loved ones. I realized that an action as benign as going to your office can result in your desk and that each day you are alive is a gift to be treasured. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? September 11 should be remembered for being a day on which mankind was displayed at its most positive and most evil. The heroic action of firemen, professional rescuers and ordinary citizes who displayed extraordinary strength was never as obvious in my lifetime as it was that day. There was a tremendous amount of good done on that day. At the same time, there was a tremendous amount of evil that day. The 19 men whose actions destroyed the WTC and nearly 3,000 lives therein; damaged the Pentagon and the over 180 lives therein; and killed all of the men and women in Shanksville, Pennsylvania field were a tremendous example of evil. The lives that were lost on September 11, 2001 must never -- and will never -- be forgotton. But we must also make it a goal to never forget that while America was reeling from a horrific act by evil men, she was also showing her steely resolve to rebuild, remember and overcome. That resolve, the American spirit, must be remembered every day of the year. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? The American flag has always been special to me. Growing up on military bases, I was accustomed to seeing the flag everywhere. The Star Spangled Banner was even played in movie theaters before the featured film was run. The flag has always been a source of pride. Obviously, due to the events of September 11, that sense of pride has been made a little deeper. I do a fair amount of travel in my work and it was fantastic and emotional to see the flag displayed at so many places across the country in the weeks and months following September 11. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah1518.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-08 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 68.70.163.53 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was housesitting for my former supervisor, Doug, and his wife, Val. I was asleep when I heard the phone ringing. Val's sister was calling to tell them NOT to get on the plane. I explained that they had stayed at a hotel near the airport to catch their flight to France that morning. She was emphatic, "If you hear from them, tell them they are NOT to get on that plane!" Bewildered, I asked why; I thought she had a premonition or something. She paused and with a air of disbelief, she told me we were being attacked, that a plane was flown into the World Trade Center. Thats when I turned on the TV and saw the first tower burning. As I watched the reporter cover the story, with the tower in the background, I noticed a plane flying low in the background. I was just thinking that it seemed odd to be so low, when it slammed into the second tower. The reporter whipped around, commenting on what he saw. It was unreal and shocking. Never have I actually seen something like that in real time. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, my life has changed but not in a manner that's dramatic. I don't have friends in NY, don't know anyone personally who has died, and have never been to NY. But I'm more thoughtful and reflective. I try to work less and live more. I work at being a better person in the time that I have. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? While I think we should remember those who died, I also think we need to seriously think about those who are living. This event didn't happen out of a vaccum. We should remember that we all contribute to what happens in the world, no matter how small or how far away. Our government is involved with matters in other countries that we don't know about. Some of us could care less. But, we are one in a global village. And we need to be actively aware of our role in that village by being aware of what goes on internationally. We should also remember that what makes this country great is the freedom we have. But with that freedom comes great responsibiity, toward self and others, in the USA and outside of it. That is what I believe we live and die for. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I have a flag on my car but it came with the car when I bought it. I've never been a big proponent of flag-waving. It is a symbol of many things to many people but I choose not to invest too much into it. My sense of patriotism comes from how I conduct myself, what I do and say to show my love for this country. I don't like hype and I don't feel that waving a flag is all that patriotic in and of itself. A person can wave lots of flags but if they don't conduct themselves in a manner of respect for others and self, it is meaningless to me. My sense of patriotism comes from trying to live a life of tolerance and inclusion. And sometimes that means tolerating things I don't necessarily agree with. But this country was founded on the belief that we all deserve life, liberty, and happiness. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah4789.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-12 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 146.74.1.94 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was at work at Hill AFB, Utah on 9-11-01. We heard about it by word of mouth, as I suppose someones spouse called when they heard it on the news. It did not take long for the word to spread to everyone. The events unfold for me, as I am sure they did for most Americans as we tuned in various news sources on Radio, Televisions and/or the Internet. We at Hill AFB went to a much higher security level, as did most Government agencies. As a result, an un-identified package was found and we had to evacuate our work building. Well waiting at the rendezvous point for the all clear from security forces, I was able to use my cell phone to get news off the Internet as to the events continued to unfold. Being a major military supply base with F-16s, our work efforts intensified immediately and continued throughout the year, especially with the winter Olympics being held here. Now a full year later we are at lower security levels however, our tempo of operations still remain high with the world events our military continue to shape in response to 9-11 and I suspect will remain high for some time to come. One item of comfort I had at the time may be hard to understand, but I found a peace and some gladness that my wife had died and was in a much better place and did not have to live through this tragedy. So even at the time, I sought something positive to focus on as the tragedy unfolded. I truly believe that God will make good come from evil and think much good has resulted this year following the tragedy we just call 9-11. I think our nation and world are stressing our value systems/religious beliefs, family, respect of the needs of others be they found in our neighborhoods or half way around the world. This day is starting to make the world a more humane place to live. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. As for my personal life, it has not changed much. I do observe more people coming to church after 9-11. I find that those I interface with have a longing to understand and desire to prevent such future tragedies. I may try to welcome newcomers especially those who are of another race or belief than mine. I continue to strive for an understanding and respect for others who have a different value system other than my own. In this regard, pray that humankind learns to live in respect of one another. All faiths of the world, which give us our values, really seem to do teach the Golden Rule. I think things like all the religious leaders who gathered at Assisi, Italy to pray (each following their own beliefs not doing some water-downed communal prayer) for peace understanding and Love is a wonderful beginning. We need to look and stress what we have in common with each other, acknowledge differences with respect. Let a new world order/Globalization of Love for one another prevail. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Evil can and does happen in the world, but there is much we in the world can do to prevent it. It starts by understanding and respecting one another. We do not have to agree on everything but must allow individual freedoms, which respect life and the importance of all humanity. We need to avoid hatred. We may not agree with a different value system but as long as it respects the rights of the individual and all humanity, we should strive to focus on what we have in common. Hatred must be avoided; we must strive to respect one another despite our differences. Evil can and does happen in the world, but there is much we in the world can do to prevent it. It starts by understanding NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I have always flown the American Flag, however this last year I did fly the flags of many other countries with our US Flag, as we had the winter Olympics here in Utah and it was important that all nationalities were felt welcome. The spirit of the international games can be a lesson for all to focus on. We can get along and respect one another. We can even have lots of fun well doing it. For just a moment, imagine what the world would be like that had fun with one another rather than hating just because they are from a different country, have a different color, or have a different value system (religion). Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah1246.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-05 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 198.26.118.36 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I am a certified crisis worker in the Texas Panhandle. A coworker alerted the hotline to the events of 9/11/01. We watched the tv and kept up with the internet news for information. Our hotline as well as others throughout the country were quiet. I wondered how my child's school was alerting them of what was happening in our country. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Everybody's life has changed since 9/11/01. People are a little bit more nicer and more patriotic. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Those who lost their lives need to be remembered as well as those public officials all over the world who helped with the efforts and continue to help others in their communities. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? The American flag is rspected in our home and we put it out on the holidays. After 9/11/01, we kept our flag up for awhile. We continue to wear patriotic clothing throughout the year. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah4377.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.40.131.27 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. My name is Wayne Wedge. I was working for the DSS/Abacus Technology as a(Contractor)Litgation Specialist that day. I worked on the BUMED Site for the USN, next to the Kennedy Center on 23rd ST NW in Washington DC. I was sitting at my desk working and listening to the radio about what just happened to the WTC. The I received an e-mail from one of Attorneys that was marked "Urgent." I read the message and look out my window. This what I saw when I looked out the window "Big black, grayish, white clouds of smoke bellowing out of the right side of the Pentagon." Then all of a sudden I was politely told to leave the building and going home. While I was leaving the build a lot my fellow workers were in a state of shock from what they heard and saw with thier own eyes. Some were crying, some were in a hurry to get out of the building and I was some what scared, cause I have some close friends that work in the Pentagon and was wondering if they were alive or dead. On my way out of the building, I called my wife and told her to turn the TV on, they all of a sudden my cell phone went dead. So now my wife is wondering what happened to me. Come to find out the ATT cut all signals in the Washington DC area. It took me 2 hours to get home that day from work that usaully would take me only 25-30 minutes. You would not believe reactions on other peoples face when I told them where I was coming from. Since majority of my family and friends know that I work in Washington Dc & Pentagon area. I tried through the night to call them to let them know that I was okay and I'm safe. From that day on I told all of my Famliy and Friends that I'm going to take one day at a time, like it could be my last day on earth. This will be one day in my life that I will never, ever forget what happened. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. This will be one day in my life that I will never, ever forget what happened. Because it could have been the building I was working in, instead of the Pentagon. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? How all of the innocent civilians, Soldiers (from all Branches of Service)who lost thier lives that day, also we should remeber the families this day. Because they are the ones who lost more than in thing in life. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I display an American Flag on my vehicle, to show my patriotism to all of those who served in the Military and to those who lost thier lives in this tragedy. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah926.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-04 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 149.101.1.126 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. September 11th was probably the scariest day of my life. I remember thinking that it would start a war, which would cause my loved ones who are in the military to be put in danger. We watched the news in almost all of my classes, and it just made me feel even more scared. All those deaths and injuries were so far away from here, but who's to say that my town wouldn't be attacked next? NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My daily life hasn't changed, but I feel like my freedom is at stake because of the attacks. Nobody knows what will happen from day to day any more, so we've all become prisoners of fear. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Our country's history was changed on September 11th. The tragedy and all it's happenings should be remembered, just as we remember all of the wars that the U.S. has been a part of. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? My dad bought a flag on September 12th. Before September 11th, we never flew the flag because it didn't mean much of anything to our family. After, though, the flag symbolized everything that America means to us: peace, unity, and freedom. I feel that the flag is a way of showing our pride in our nation that we've always had, but the terrorist attacks strenghthened. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3008.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-10 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 198.81.16.179 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was sitting in my office in Philadelphia, PA when I heard someone say 'planes have crashed into both of the World Trade Centers' (about 9:30 AM). I tried to go to the Internet for information but it was jammed. As news started filtering in, people began to panic. I work across the street from One Liberty Place - the tallest building in Philadelphia (which was evacuated around 10:30 AM). They sent me home from work around 11 AM. There were sirens everywhere and almost no phone service. SEPTA (local train service) had totally shut down, and I was stranded in the city. Finally, around 2 PM, I caught a train out to the suburbs and had a friend pick me up. While I waited at the station, I realized it was a beautiful September day. That served as a brief respite before watching hours of horror unfold on TV when I made it home. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life hasn't really changed outwardly, but I think about the attacks nearly every day. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The best and the brightest will always be the targets of attacks from those who covet them. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I think people who started flying the flag as a direct result of 9/11 are the worse kind of hypocrites. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah129.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-10 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 68.44.80.198 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I live in Washington State, and had just awoke to get my daughters up to get ready for school. I turned on the TV which just happened to be on the local ABC station, and it was showing the first plane to hit the WTC. I remember just being in shock, and could not move, but kept staring into the TV set, and watched the 2nd plane hit the other tower. My husband was in Holland for his work at the time, so i logged onto the internet to email him to call me immediately. Moments later, the towers came down, and all i could think of was, oh my God...all those people....please don't let them suffer. My husband then called me and I told him the terrible news...He and his co-workers hadn't heard anything yet about it. That day I was also to go to our airport to pick up some friends, and i called the airlines to see if the flight had already taken off. I was told that it had. After that phone call..the news came across the TV that ALL flights were cancelled. I could not get ahold of my friends opn their cell phone. I went ahead and headed to the airport, and was almost there when they called me and told me they were still in Chicago. I was in tears..i was SOOO relieved that they were not on the plane from Chicago that was one of the "death" planes. The most i can remember all that day was just crying all day...and wondering HOW could people have SO much hatred in their hearts to do something like this. When I got home I turned the TV back on to see the people in Afghanastan laughing and cheering..burning our flag. It made me physically ill to watch this..... My daughters both called me from their high school to see if I was alright. They were both crying and also in shock. When they got home...all I could do was take them both in my arms and hold them...it was like I never wanted to let them go again. I guess this is also the way i feel about all the victims and their families. I just want to hold them and comfort them in any way that I can. I did NOT have a close friend or family member killed in this horrible action, but as a UNITED AMERICAN...I felt that everyone that WAS affected...are my brothers and sisters. May God bless you all...and GOD BLESS AMERICA! NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I think i would be lying (as ALL Americans would) if i were to say that 9/11 did NOT change my life. It has affected every one of us in one way or another. I think the change in me was wanting more closeness to my family...especially since my husband was overseas working at the time. I DO have to say that the people in Holland, where he was at, were SO very kind to the americans working over there with my husband...offering them any help they could. I want to say thank you to those people. It was with their help that made it possible for my husband and his co-workers to make it through their time there. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? EVERYTHING....just simply...EVERYTHING NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes i did fly our great flag afterwards. On my car and van, on my house and wore replicas of it on shirts. My feelings of the American Flag have NEVER changed. I am VERY proud to be an American, and have ALWAYS been. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah4208.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.12.96.236 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. MY WIFE AND I HAD PULLED UP TO THE DELTA AIRLINE STREET COUNTER AND CHECKED OUR LUGGAGE IN FOR A TRIP FROM JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA TO MINNEAPOLIS, MN. FOR A FAMILY WEDDING. THEY CHECKED OUR BAGS IN AND THEN TOLD US A SMALL AIRPLANE HAD JUST HIT ONE OF THE TWIN TOWERS IN NEW YORK CITY. THEY SAID THE AIRLINE MIGHT CANCEL OUR FLIGHT. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF THEY WOULD NEVER CANCIL OUR FLIGHT FOR SUCH A SMALL EVENT AS A LIGHT PLANE HITTING A BUILDING. LITTLE DID I KNOW. BUY THE TIME WE PARKED OUR CAR AND MADE OUR WAY TO THE BREAKFAST COUNTER, A SECOND PLANE HIT AND EVERYONE WAS CROUDED AROUND A LARGE TV IN THE LOUNGE. WE LOOKED IN DISBELIEF.WE COULD HARDLY BELIEVE OUR EYES. IT ALL SEEMED SO UNREAL. WE SAT THERE AND WATCHED PEOPLE DIEING RIGHT BEFORE OUR VERY EYES. IT ESPECIALLY HIT HOME WITH ME AS I WATCHED THOSE BUILDINGS COLLAPSE KILLING ALL THOSE FIREFIGHTERS, YOU SEE, I AM CAPTAIN WITH 42 YEARS SERVICE ON THE JACKSONVILLE FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. IT HAS MADE ME BE MORE THANKFUL FOR EACH AND EVERY DAY THAT THE GOOD LORD GIVES ME AND MY FAMILY. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? THE BRAVE FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE THAT GAVE THEIR LIVES. THE PASSENGERS ON THE AIRCRAFT THAT FOUGHT THE TERRORISTS AND ALL THE CIVILIANS THAT THAT HAD NO CHOICE. LAST BUT NOT LEAST . . . THE COUNTLESS WORKERS THAT GAVE OF THEMSELVES TO SEARCH FOR VICTIMS DAY AFTER DAY. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? YES, THREE FLAGS. I'VE ALWAYS HAD GREAT RESPECT AND ADMIRATION FOR OUR COUNTRY'S FLAG Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah382.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-22 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.129.81.186 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I used to be really rude to people for no reason and I would just make fun of them all the time. On September 11, 2001, during school they turned on the tv's, and let us watch what was happening. I was only in eighth grade. At first most of us thought it was just a movie, or some big prank to freak us out. Then we figured out it was real when the people looked so terrified. We got really scared and a bunch of us got checked out or called home asking about family members and friends. The teachers started to worry more and so did we. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I accept people for who they are more, I am much closer to my family now. I am a lot nicer to people. It has really turned my life around. I was starting to hang out with the wrong people and do some realy ad stuff. But I don't do any of that any more. I really have gotten my priorities stratiened out. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? the lives that were lost and the familes. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes and not really. I don't say the pledge. I just don't see the point of saying a pledge to a flag. Maybe if it was really explained to me I would understand it more. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3541.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 216.109.3.68 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I am a high school history teacher in California and I found out on the radio on my way to work about the airplanes crashing. I remember thinking, what am I going to do for the kids? We are under attack, we need to keep them safe, I need to help them understand. All my lesson plans were now worthless. When I got to school everyone was standing silently in front of TV's in their rooms. I saw the towers fall and started to cry as did other teachers. The students were dazed, they didn't understand how to handle this. So we watched TV all day, every period. We switched from CNN to ABC to local channels. I went online and we saw the planes fly into the towers over and over. I had visited the WTC towers, I knew that up to 100,000 people could be in them, and that is how many I thought died. I spoke about Pearl Harbor and JFK's assasination and told them to remmber this day to tell their children. I spent the next two weeks teaching about Islam and Judiesm and Christanity and Israel and Palestine and Middle East Geography and the Japanese Internement camps and civil liberties. WHEW! NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I feel it is my job to teach kids about media awareness, they were bombareded by images and stories and lies and governent responses that are hard to understand. We need to teach kids to be skeptical of what they see in the media, and use various sources. I trust the newspaper over the TV news anyday and a newsmagazine over a newspaper. OUr kids today are more TV and internet trusting. WE need to teach them that it takes time and research to find truth. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? So many people willing to risk their lives for others. The image of those firefighters climbing the stairs, of people carrying peers downs stairs, the police and health workers ready to bear this catastrophe. As a teacher I was proud of the teachers who got their students to safety near the WTC. I also think we need to try to understand the philosophy of those 19 men willing to die for their beliefs and bring down thousands with them. People die from terrorist attacks almost everyday in this world but in the US we tend to ignore it. WE need to remember the good life we have here, the brave everyday heros who help out for no reason but kindness and honor. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, I have a little flag in my car but I felt almost pressured into it. As if if I DIDN"T fly the flag I was unpatriotic. I copied an article about this phenomenon and had my class discuss it. Many of the boys got very angry and couldn't understand that flag waving could be seen this way. I had a neighbor at this time who was Palestinian and he had flags on every side of him and I'm sure he felt strange. Waving a flag doesn't make you more patriotic. Have my feelings changed? I teach about the various flags we've had, the Star Spangled Banner etc. I think the thing that symbolizes America is free speech and the ability to disagree non-violently. We had a huge local problem with the city council forbade the flying of flags at our local farmers market as a political statement!! I think the flag can mean many things and most people don't scratch the surface. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah431.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-26 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 205.188.208.134 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. As I sat in my history class that morning and watched various buildings on fire because of acts of terrorism, I witnessed the first attack on the United State since World War II was fought. This sad experiene put our country into a "war" against terrorism, which was also a first in my eyes. The United State has tried before to capture communistic countries' leaders but never in this same way. That morning my country was being attacked and what raged inside me the most was the American people let it happen before their eyes. I think that this could have been avoided if the American people would have paid alittle bit more attention to "suspicious" people instead of what type of fast food they were going to eat next. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah4969.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-14 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 205.188.208.134