2 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. It was just after 8.30 am and My wife Dawn Moore-Bonnett was preparing breakfast for me. As VP Academic Affairs for the State University of New York (SUNY) Old Westbury, it was my custom to call in around 9.00 to speak to my adm asst and get any last minute updates before my short trip to the College. As per usual I was watching WABC, ch 7,when Peter Jennings, in a newsflash, stated that a plane had struck one of the twin towers. I immediately looked at the station , saw the conflagration, decided it was serious, shouted to my wife that a terrible accident had occurred and that she should turn to ch 7. I then called the President 's secretary at the College and my asst and told them of the disaster. I felt that the pilot may have been an older soul who had suffered , maybe an heart attack, but wondered why he did not see the tower as it was brilliant day with fantastic sunshine and not a cloud in the sky. Within minutes , my wife said honey there is another plane going to the rescue,and then before our eyes we saw it happen. The second plane struck the second tower with what seemed devastating force. I immediately called the campus spoke to my direct reports Associate and asst VPs and my adm asst and to the President's secretay once more to indicate that i would leave immediately to get to the campus and that i could be reachable by "cell" I bade my wife goodbye urged her to set the alarm and stay alert ....i had a foreboding of impending doom! it was similar to my drill at the California state University(San Bernardino)where as the academic dean to which military science reported, i coordinated our response to natural disasters with University state Police Directors and others in the City and campus....this was no natural disaster and it seemed to be much worse NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes this event had caused me to be more anchored spiritually, more aware of the value of friendships and strong family and collegial bonds , and of the fleeting nature of life. I had just lost my mom that february. I also made a decision that maybe i should reassess my desire to get a college presidency...to take it in stride - return to the professoriate and see what happened. I realized that to me it was no longer an obsession but rather a calling and that if it was God's will for me to get a presidency one would come my way, but more important was to take ethical stands, be a strong mentor and continue to influence lives and people as i have done for over thirty years. I later , in 2002 resigned my Vice Presidency and returned subsequently to the professoriate in 03. I could still smell the stench of burning flesh that my wife and i witnessed and experienced on 9/13 at the SITE, and wondre about those who did not make it. Those who jumped to their death without making good with Allah, Yahweh or whatever their God was and their loved ones.....That experinece should teach us all a lesson in HUMILITY and the danger of Hubris..... what does it matter (as the scriptures say) to a man if he gains the whole world and lose his SOUL....We Americans .....PaX Americana_ may gain the whole world but our eternal quest it to keep our national and international SOUL NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The vulnerability of man, social institutions, edifices and America.That we are still a nation under GOD, and we should so act...and not as though we are totally omnipotent, all powerful, and so unconcerned about the "lessness' of the rest of the world We should also remember that for a fleeting period in history we gained the respect and sympathy of many in the international community as we showed our basic humanity , our vulverabilities, pain and suffering publicly....a chastened President whose Presidency had hitherto been deemed" tainted "got a chance to redeem himself. History will judge as to whether we(our Leaders) have squandered that chance. Finally, we should, as President Clinton and many others including I - have begun to do engage in a national conversation as to why would others hate us so as to martyr themselves to make a point and try to destroy the symbols - at least palpable ones- of our civilization. Immanuel Wallerstein....America and the World: The Twin Towers as Metaphor is a good start...so is an excellent article on Evil by futurist scholar and my mentor Wendell Bell 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? No ! i wore a flag in my lapel for a brief while but soon realized that this was shallow patriotism.i love America my adopted country, but fely that many -including politicians -were using the flag for their own particularistic reasons which often were mutually exclusive to the high and lofty ideals of patriotism. 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 nmah5526.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. 2003-05-20 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 137.139.33.85 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 getting ready for school and then my mom rushed in and said, "Turn on the t.v.". I turned it on and first thought it was like some kind of joke or something and then realized, "Why would anyone go through all this trouble just for a joke?" Well, then i continued getting ready and then headed for school. I came there and my english teacher was crying and worried. Her brother worked at the Sears Tower and she told us that every big company was evacuated for the time being. So she had her phone on the whole day and was ready to pick up at anytime. For the rest of the day we didn't do much but discuss... NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Everyone who lives in the US has had a life altering event before...but because this happened to the whole country, we all were hurt in some way. What happened on that very morning made me realize that i was lucky to be a live...I was at the right place at the right time. But because this caught everybody by surprise...I don't know if I can just walk outside and ever feel safe again...There might be someone in the bushes waiting to abush me or something. Being paranoid about life is not a healthy way to live... NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The people who died for our country, helped out by cleaning and saving people, and everyone else who has/is contributing and oding anythign they can to help our country... 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? No, I didnt hang a flag [because i didn't have one], but I did draw my own flag and hung it in my bedroom window...and in every of my class, there was a flag hanging in there so I still felt a bit patriotic... 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 nmah6635.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. 2004-09-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.79.69.225 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. On September 10th, my husband and I got engaged. Little did I know that our trip to Manhattan that same morning would be something to solidify our relationship. As we drove into the Lincoln tunnel on the evening of September 10th, we were fortunate enough to see the WTC in all of its glory; two huge copper pillars reflecting the setting sun's rays from the west. It was so beautiful, and no matter what had happened the next day, I would have always remembered that amazing vision. Ironically, that evening, my then fiance mentioned that NYC would be a prime target for a terrorist attack, especially on days like New Year's Eve or during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I thought he was being paranoid... Well, the next day, I was scheduled to go on an interview for admissions into Veterinary School. On the train ride down to 34th street, the subway stopped twice, once for a "problem" that was left unexplained...the next time for an "explosion up ahead". I looked at my husband and said "Eh, probably happens all the time in New York." Well, we got out at Penn Station, and during our 12 block walk, we were both quite innerved by the number of people staring at the sky and pointing, and at the number of police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances zooming past us on the streets. My husband and I separated when I got the interview because he wanted to go see Wall Street, the Twin Towers, and possibly the Statue of Liberty. I told him to be careful, but by the time I got to the interview, the first plane had already hit. We of course did not know what was happening until I actually walked into the office that my interview was in, and he didn't catch on until about 10 blocks away, he gathered with a crowd around a car with its radio on. He promptly went back to the building he left me in. Well, I had my interview, because I couldn't think of a time when I would be able to return to NYC. When we reunited, we ended up walking about 100 blocks back up to the Bronx were our car was. All along the way, I was so greatful to have him with me, knowing full well there was a good possibility it could be the last day we had on earth. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I have become much more aware of the happenings around me. My husband is very wary of any odd or strange situations, and I have to say that I have a greater respect for his suspicious nature, especially after the comment he made on September 10th. I hate the fact that I do this, but I have been suspicious of Middle Eastern people. I think it is just because I am scared to death of something like this happening again. I know that the vast majority of people are not capable of doing such terrible things, but it only takes a handful to wreak havoc, as we saw on 9/11. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that I will remember most the way that NYC's population was so incredibly helpful and friendly. They really pulled together to make sure that it wasn't any harder than it was going to be. I have been to the city before, and I have always heard that they are so rude, etc...you know the stereotype, they keep to themselves, never helpful, would watch a person getting mugged and not do anything. I have to say, NYC and its people have proven to be absolutely gracious and genuinely good hearted during a real time of heartache. I love NYC, and why shouldn't I? It represents the best that the USA, the best country in the world, has to offer. And nobody will every be able to hold NYC or its spirit down, ever! 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 am not in a situation where I can fly an American Flag, but I do have one on my car, proudly displayed. 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 nmah5326.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. 2002-12-08 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 68.10.60.230 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 English class when my principal came over the loud speaker and informed us that there was had been an accident at the WTC. He said they weren't sure of the cause yet so we all figured it was an accidental crash. Then, he came back over the loud speaker informing us that the other tower was hit. Every teacher had either the radio or the television on the entire rest of the day. Students kept calling parents on their cell phones. Since I live on Long Island, many students have parents or relatives that worked in or around the towers. The scary thing for me was, it was my parents anniversary and I knew that they were going into the city that day. They were planning on eating lunch at the Windows to the World atop one of the towers. I called them and they were still safe at home, they weren't planning on going into the city for another hour. Also, my uncle was taking a flight down to Washington DC that day so my aunt was hysterical when she couldn't reach him. He was luckily on a different plane. Other students weren't so lucky. I will never forget that day and the following weeks after. Everything was so somber. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, my life has changed. I don't take anything for granted anymore. If something like this can happen in America, I can't even begin to imagine what things could be like in other countries. Now, when i see an American flag or I go to Ground Zero, I can't help but imagine how those poor souls lost their lives. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The hereos. We should remember that everyone involved in September 11th should be important to us. This includes the police and fire departments, the pilots and passengers of all 4 of the planes that went down (NYC, Wash DC and Penn), the people trapped in the buildings,those who survived and the victims families. 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, there is still an American Flag outside of my house. I noticed people putting flags everywhere, including their cars (flags, window clings, stickers), their house, wearing flags etc. The American flag means so much more now. America as a country stuck together and held strong as things were falling apart around us. The flag stands for freedom, libery, justice and so much 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 nmah6586.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. 2004-09-07 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 137.123.189.83 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 social studies doing curret events when our secratary came in and told our teacher to turn o the news. that was after the first plane crashed. then we where about to start our next class when we saw the other one crash. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. i guess it has, the Twin Towers will know longer be apart of the New York skyline. All the people that lost their lives in them will always be there in my heart. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The fire fighters that lost there lives trying to save people. A lot of them entered the firehouse wanting to be heroes, i think they are some of the biggest heroes around-forever. And people that tried to save the White House, they where some of the greater heroes, they knew they where going to die, but they thought in the process that they should save some in the mean time. 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, in fact they are still there. i think i have more respect forit before 9-11 it was considered to be just a flag, but now i have more feelings for it. it also means more to me. 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 nmah1951.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. On September 11th I first heard about the attack when I returned from our school pictures. It turned out that I actually took my picture right as the plane hit the first building. Later I heard that a seccond building was hit. When I returned home from school, I witnessed the tragic event I first thought to be a hoax. There in that exact spot, I remained in awe of the sheer magnitude of the event for a couple of hours. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Since September 11th I have been questioned about being Muslim. However,do not be fooled, all of the questions were in trying to understand my religion and not out of hatred. My mother who is the Public Relations volenteer of the Islamic Society of Tulsa has worked day and night on with the news organizations and local people to ensure that Muslims here in Tulsa and around the globe would not condone such an act of hatred. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that all Americans should remember our faith. Not just our faith in God, but our faith in each other to strive forward to ensure the saftey and love of our fellow citizens. Also we should remember our preachers, pastors, imams, and rabbis for all of there effort to strengthen,and redeem if needed,our faith in religion. 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 nmah5116.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. 2002-09-18 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 205.188.209.172 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. On Tuesday, September 11, 2002 I was in first hour when the first airplane hit the world trade center, however I didn't know about any of this hapened until third hour. They had an anouncement over the intercom saying that to avoid any rumors that all teachers should turn on their t.v.'s to the news. We watched in terror as the two towers fell to the ground. We watched the news in every subject all day. After school I got a ride home from my friend's mom home. My friend was being stupid and thought it was funny that a woman was covered in ash. We told nhim that this was a serious event and nothing funny. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has been changed in that I now have much more respect for our founding fathers. I also now better understand the meanings of freedom, equality, and liberty NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I remember a lot. I remember being in awe at the horrible things that human people can do. 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? We flew an American flag. I now better understand the significance of the American flag and what it stands for. 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 nmah3351.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. 216.120.186.2 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. the whole us was in fright NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. it changed my life because you can't go all the way into the airports and the seucity is out regiuogs and the us is in war because of this. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? the people who died the firemen the police men 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 flyed an american flag how i fell diferen't bout the 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 nmah1227.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. 198.237.72.252 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. Your Generation Son, daughter this is your Pearl Harbor, your Viet Nam. What you see and hear will be the tales you tell the generations to come. Photos, songs, and poems will be what is left to help convey today. What memories are now seared into your souls like like evil brandings? How I wish I could find Linuss Blanket to wrap you in, and walk you back to Seasame Street. September 11th, 2001 Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan For Vincent James and Eliza Jo, my two children For all the children 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 nmah5306.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. 2002-11-27 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.190.40.216 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. THe day that this tragic thing happened was 11 days before my birthday and on a beautifull tuesday morning i heard the worst thing the moment i walked into school as my teacher turned on the T.V and my fellow students and i watched the 2 most beautiful building be destroyed. everyone was so devestated that the whole school jsut morned the rest of teh day for those who were dieing for our country. so i would like to say that this tragidy not only affected me personaly but also pysically because now i think everymorning what if someting likethis happens what if i get hurt or my loved one or even my friends, what would i do with my self? so that is a question that i deal wiht every day for the rest of my life. 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 nmah4844.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. 152.163.189.198 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. It was my first week at Western Connecticut State University. Having to deal with leaving home, wondering where my life was going, and growing up was hardship enough. And then that dreadful day came. I remember walking to the bookstore to pick up a book for homework and seeing it on television. I just disregarded it and didn't realize what was going on until I arived at my room 20 minutes later. Devestation isn't even the word to describe what I felt. And realization that my best friend was at school in the city didn't occur until 20 minutes after that. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Whose life hasn't changed? Everything happens for a reason is often heard but what was the reason this tradgedy had to occur. Now, I make sure to tell anyone close to my heart how much I love them. You never know when someone so close to you can just leave. I'm greatful for God's love and protection of my best friend yet, I'm heartbroken for everyone who has lost someone. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Love. Love everyone and everything. Be greatful for what you have for tommarro, you may no longer have it. Someone's life can change just by a simple hug so why not hug every one? Smile more, laugh often, and live each day as if it were your last. Stand together and tall and be proud to be from this great country...America. 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? Not only did it fly high, it was stuck to the back of my car, in my dorm window, and all throughout our hallways! There isn't a day that goes by without my recognization and appreciation of our 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 nmah4957.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. 149.152.229.12 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 the West, so most of the events happened before I was awake, or at least before I bothered to turn on the radio. I learned a few details on the radio on the way to work, although I didn't grasp the horror of what was happeneing. At first, I felt the same way I feel when I hear about a train wreck or a bridge collapsing. I was sad, but I was so far removed from it all. But, once I got to work and saw the footage of the airplanes crashing into the towers, I realized this wasn't just another disaster. It was the most horrible thing I had ever seen. The image of the plane exploding on impact with the WTC is something I will have seared on my heart for the rest of my life. I called my husband from work. he had no idea about what was going on because he was getting my son up and dressed for the day. I am a high school teacher, and I also informed many of my students, especially those I had in my morning classes. I had trouble trying to communicate the horror of it all. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I wouldn't say my life has changed much. I still work at the same job, and no one I knew was killed in the attacks. But, my idea of the world and my place in it is changed. The world is bigger and scarier than I could have imagined. I live near an airport, so I see a lot of low-flying planes about to land. Each time I look up and think, "Isn't that plane flying too low?" NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? It's still too early to judge. Is this the only terrorist act we will have for 50 years? Or, is it the first in a string? Since we have footage of the plane crashing into the tower, and security pictures of the plane crasing into the Pentagon, no doubt the Social Studies textbooks 100 years from now will have those images in them. But, I also hope the bravery and the patriotism will be remembered. 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 have a flag to fly, and I couldn't find one in any store around here. They were all sold-out. So the local grocery store chain printed the flag on large posters and gave them out to customers. Almost everybody around here still has one of those, albeit faded, in the window. 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 nmah4746.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. 163.150.15.187 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 listening to a local radio station while getting ready for work. They were getting a weather update from a local TV weather man and the weather man said, "Someone has flown an airplane into one of the World Trade Towers." It was said almost as a joke, although now I think it was more disbelief. I turned on the TV in the bedroom and was watching it on the news when another plane came into the picture. I was stunned as it slammed into the other tower. I remember saying, "oh my God, it crashed into the tower." I obvoiuosly said it very loudly, because I woke my husband up. I went to work, listening to the news all the way there. The third plane, and then fourth, seemingly unstoppable. We watched on the TV in the breakroom as the first tower fell and then the other. I remember thinking, this can't be happening, we live in America. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I don't think my everyday like has changed. I still go to work, take care of the family, buy groceries, all the normal daily activities. However, my security has been shaken. In my life, the only war I knew was in Vietman where my dad went twice. We cried and waved goodbye as he left on the plane. We reunited to hugs and a smiling dad. While he was gone we watched on the news as the fighter jets flew over other countries. The sight of bombers flying over New York and Washington is a picture I can't shake. We are not so secure that war can't happen in our own backyard. I have even had dreams about planes flying over at night and seeing parachutes fall from the sky with hundreds of soilders. Knowing they were after us I would have to hid the family and look for weapons to protect them. (My husband is disabled, I guess that's why I feel I will have to protect us). I don't remember having "war" dreams, even as a child. Another change I have noticed is my dislike for the news. While never a big news person, I did try to keep up with current events. Now, I would love to slap several of the national newspeople. I have been aware, for what seems like forever, of "secret" plans and places for government officials in the event of war. I believe the idea of "oh, no, we have no president," (or vice president or whatever), would only add to the choas of a nation possibly at war. But for newspeople to sit and look into the camera and say, "Where is President Bush in all of this", "Why would a president go to Louisiana". I knew why the sevret service did it, why didn't they!!!! Do they really have freedom of the press to tell EVERYTHING? I really don't think we need to discuss war plans on the nightly news! After all, if a country attacking us has weapons, planes, tanks, soldiers, etc., it is pretty much a given they have DISH Network! NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? For a brief time, color did not matter. Women's rights did not matter. Republican or democrat did not matter. The only thing on EVERYONE'S mind was band together, help each other. Someone was attacking us, and we, as a nation of ONE, had to stop it. It reminds me of brothers and sisters, I can slap my brother, but God help you if you do!! 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 had an American flag flying from my porch. My parents have always done the same thing. I guess being a "military brat", God and country were always part of my life. To answer your question, no, my feeling about the flag have not changed. It is still a symbol of all I hold dear! 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 nmah1505.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. 199.174.157.216 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 first found out about the terrorists hitting the WTC Towers I was in my 6th period class at Thompson High School in Alabama. One of my friends was crying because her brother was in the Army and she was scared that her brother was going to have to fight in the war. I asked her what she meant and she told me about the WTC Towers being hit and I thought it was something small or not a big deal. I got home from school later that day and my mom was home from work, which was very unusual because she usually works until 8:00pm, and she met me at the door and before I could say anything she grabed me and gave me a big hug and started crying. When she did this I knew that what had happened was much more serious than what I had thought. Once I had come inside the T.V. was on and for the first time that day I got to see what had really happened, it was about 5:00pm that day. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I HAVE BECOME MORE PROUD TO AN AMERICAN!!! NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think the heroes and the victims should be the ones we remember most, but everything that happened on September 11, 2001 should also be remembered. 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 flew the flag before 9/11 and I will for the rest of my life. 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 nmah3449.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 watched it on TV NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. yes, now i know how inportant familey really is NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? all of it 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, yes 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 nmah4571.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. 207.28.166.251 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 heard the story from my mother when she woke me up on Tuesday morning of last year. All knew at the time was that a plane had crashed into one of the two towers. But I heard nothing else until I reached school and everyone was talking about it. I then learned all the rest of the terrible events that are now engraved into our minds. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, along with almost every other American my life has changed,in many different ways, but for the main part I have been more appreciative of my country and in doing so have gained a much stronger patriotism toward our great nation. In most respects I have mourned for the tragic loss of life that many people have sustained, and received heart-felt sorrow for all the families of the vicitims of the terrorist act. I have never been more thankful for my family. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I personally think the good, and the bad should be remembered, mostly because of the saying "it takes both rain and sunshine to make a rainbow." So we need to remember the tragic loss of the many vitims on 9/11, but also remember the way our country came together and held each other up so that we may press on and overcome this disaster that had overcome us. 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 that the stars and stripes that make up the banner of our nation is now engraved in our hearts as a stronger symbol of freedom and passion, then we eveer knew it to be. Our star-spangled banner now endows almost anything we can think of, making it clear to the world that we will not be overcome by terrorism, and that there is no way that this country will ever loose what we have worked so hard to built up. The United States Flag will wave forever. 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 nmah2660.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. 209.79.73.193 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 11, 2001 will forever be etched into my memory. It was the day I never thought would come to America. I lived (at the time) in Granger, Indiana (Since then I have moved to Nashville,TN)and I had just dropped my 3 year old son off at the sitters when I saw it on the news. My husband is a musician and he was on the road in North Carolina near the military base. I was so scared. I called him and his band members to turn on the news and he thought that I was pulling some sort of sick joke. But to his suprise I was not and we were both thrown into so much shock as we watched the second tower get struck and then we were on the phone together watching the two buildings fall. I wanted to go and get my son and just hold him and thank the good Lord above that he was safe. I kept telling my husband to get away from the military base in North Carolina as fast as they could. But they couldn't leave at the time. When he did get home 2 weeks later I couldn't hold him enough and thank God he was alive and well also. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I now know that we as Americans are not imortal. But we are tough and we stand strong and as one as a nation in times of need. I was feeling not to happy about America before 9-11 but now my hope has been renewed for this country. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The bravery of all of the recuers (and not just the firefighters and police officers). There were many civilians that jumped in to help as well and perished as a result. They were selfless in there efforts. I think that there has been too much emphisas put on the firefighters and police officers. I think that the people aboard those planes/ the pentagon and the twin towers that didn't think about there own lives, but the lives of the others they would be saving. They have my support, thoughts and prayers and heartfelt thanks. As well as the many firefighters and police officials. 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 a flag and it still remaines on my vehicle and my home as well. Yes, I have a renewed faith in this country. 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 nmah4999.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. 2002-09-16 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 205.188.209.108 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. On 9/11/01, I was preparing to leave my apartment (located on the 23rd floor of a building just 2 blocks northwest of the North Tower) for the pharmacy in the shopping concourse of the World Trade Center. From there, I planned to take the PATH train to Jersey City to begin my work day. At roughly 8:45 AM, I heard the very loud sound of a plane approaching. The sound reminded me of the diving noise made by planes in old war films - a high pitched, mechanical whine. I knew immediately that a plane was about to crash. I the mini-blinds of my bedroom window in time to see a plane heading in my general direction. All I could think of was, "Oh my God, this plane is going to hit my building." The whining noise of the plane became defeaning as it sped by. I arrived at my dining room window just in time to see the plane smash into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. I cannot explain my horror in seeing the fireball, in hearing the explosion, in feeling the ground shake and my building sway beneath my feet. I remember thinking that this must be some sort of horrible accident. I watched through my window as debris filled the air and the North Tower stood - amazingly, defiantly, bleeding paper and bodies and luggage from a gaping, fiery wound. I picked up the phone and called my husband, who was away on business. He turned the TV on in his hotel room in Iowa. Within moments, coverage of the event was on all of the cable news channels and he watched on TV while I cried hysterically & watched from our apartment window. My husband tried to calm me, telling me that this was just a terrible accident and that it would soon be over. As I regained my composure a little, we agreed that I would call my boss and that my husband would call my family and let everyone know that I was okay. With that we hung up and I picked up the phone to call my boss. When I reached my boss in Jersey City, he was oblivious to what was going on just across the Hudson River. As I listened to his astonished voice blend with the TV announcers in the background, I heard another explosion and felt my building sway voilently beneath my feet again. I remember hysterically screaming, "Why is this happening?" as I lost my phone connetion. I ran to the window again and saw that the South Tower was now in flames as well. More debris filled the air and mixed with the black smoke curling from the windows of both wounded towers. At this point, I hung up the phone, having lost my connection with my boss. I turned to my local TV news station to find out what was going on. Even now, I still believed all of these happenings to be an accident. As I watched the news, a slow-motion video clip was replayed showing the 2nd plane purposely turning to slam into the South Tower. In that moment I knew someone had done this horrible, evil thing on purpose. I sobbed uncontrollably into my hands, wondering if the world was coming to an end, if I would ever see my husband and family again. As if on cue, my husband called me again. His voice was much less comforting and much more directive this time. "Get out of that building, right now" he told me. "Get outside with other people, but don't stay in that apartment alone." I told him that I was too afraid to move. I told him that I was afraid of being hit by falling debris if I went outside. He calmly reasoned with me until I agreed to go downstairs and ask the doormen if we were being evacuated. My husband and I traded "I Love Yous", but we never said "goodbye" as we hung up our phones. As I prepared to leave my apartment, I found it difficult to do the simplest tasks. I couldn't remember how to tie my shoes, for instance. Even when I could remember what to do, my hands were shaking so badly that it made it difficult to do simple things, like button my shirt. It took all of my concentration to keep it together. As I attempted to think through the problems of leaving (do I take the cats with me or leave them behind?), my phone rang again. It was my mother. My mom, not the most organized thinker I know, immediately calmed me. She set my focus on getting out of the apartment as if I were leaving for a weekend getaway. For the next 30 minutes, she walked me through what to put in my bag, how much food & water to leave for the cats, what important papers I should have with me, etc. By this time I had regained my composure enough to know that my husband was right about leaving the area. As I promised my mother that I would call her as soon as I was safe, an enormous sound welled up from the direction of the World Trade Center, my building shook violently beneath my feet and I lost my phone and power connections. I was tempted to run to the window again, but decided it was best to leave and not look back. After closing the front door behind me, I realized that I would be facing a 23-story decent in the darkness - a terrifying thought given my current state. Stepping into the stairwell, I noticed a fine dust in the thick, dark air (I still wasn't aware that the shaking I had just felt or the dust I was encountering were the result of the South Tower collapsing). Off in the distance, I heard shrill siren-like sounds echoing off the building (later I learned that the alarms were part of the firemen's uniform and used to help locate them in the event of a building collapse). Slowly, I made my descent, moving out of the way for people with flashlights, in the hopes that they could light the way for me. It seemed like forever to make it outside, and when I did I was shocked at the chaos around me. People stumbled by, covered in white dust, blood, & vomit. A grown man was on his knees in the middle of the sidewalk, sobbing and asking God why this was happening to us. A group of men from the nearby Mercantile Exchange, still wearing their smocks, sobbed into dust masks and held each other. Stunned and in shock, I willed myself to walk up the esplanade that runs along West Street to the north. With all of the emergency vehicles clogging West Street, the Esplanade was a shoulder to shoulder, slow moving mass of people, but at least I was alive and walking forward. People moved forward in the herd achingly slow, desperately dialing and redialing cell phones that wouldn't work. Some people were injured, limping, supported by colleagues. Some people quietly muttered prayers as we moved forward en masse. No one seemed to know where they were going. About 10 minutes into this exodus from Lower Manhattan, and just 3.5 blocks from the North Tower, a man stopped in front of me. He turned in the direction of the North Tower, pointed to it and said, "Jesus, please no...". I turned and looked back in time to see the spire from atop the North Tower toppling in the direction of the crowd. A collective intake of breath is all I remember hearing and then a scream as we all realized that the North Tower was collapsing. The ground shook beneath my feet. The crowd pushed forward, panic striken, running, attempting to outrun a tremendous cloud of dust & debris. My usually clumsy feet found an ability to navigate the crowd deftly and I managed to outrun the worst of the resulting dust cloud. After 10 blocks the adrenaline rush had passed and all I could think was that, none of this had really happened. For the rest of the morning and into the afternoon, I slowly made my way uptown. I figured that I'd stay at the hotel my husband and I had stayed at when we first visited NYC as tourists in 1998. The hotel, at 79th Street & Amsterdam didn't seem far enough away to me, but at least it wasn't in downtown. As I walked uptown, I made my way walking on the street itself, the sidewalks being too crowded to use. The occasional bus would pass me by, filled to capacity with people. As I wandered into Times Square, I felt like a 1930's movie cliche as I watched the ticker go by, detailing a story far worse than I had imagined. BOTH towers were gone (I still only thought the North Tower had collapsed), the Pentagon had been attacked, and a third highjacked plane had crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania. Standing in the shade of the crowded sidewalk and staring blankly at the horror unfolding on the ticker, it dawned on me that I was just a few blocks from the Empire State Building. What if "they" were going to ram a plan into that building, too? I took off running. Apparently my panic inspired others, because a group of people watched me bolt and began a sprint of their own. I ran up 8th Avenue to 57th Street where I became too dizzy and weak from hunger to run anymore. I pushed on, walking until I came to 68th & Broadway - a Barnes & Noble bookstore remained open. Inside it was cool, empty & calm. Someone had turned off the piped-in classical music and replaced it with a transitor radio spouting the latest news reports. I wandered up to the cafe and ordered a sandwich and a bottle of water. Much to my confusion, the woman behind the counter looked at me sympatheically as she took my money. I learned why when I made it to the ladies room and saw that the back half of my hair, shirt, jeans & shoes were covered in gray ash. A fine white powder lightly covered my skin, marking me as a survivor. I washed myself in the basin and noted that the fine powder wouldn't brush off. I gave up my cleanliness efforts and tried to use my cell phone to call my husband again. To my surprise, the phone began to ring in my hand; it was my husband. Never was I so happy to hear his voice. We began to exchange information, where was I, was I okay, etc. He took down phone numbers of family and friends to call and let know that I was safe. I learned that while I walked 4 miles uptown, he called everyone he could think of in New York City and had arranged for a place for me to stay on 68th & York Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Again, we said our "I Love Yous" and parted. I rested in Barnes & Noble until they closed at 3:00 PM. A group of us sat on the floor in the Bargain Books section, stunned, trying to comfort one another but not able to put the words together. Around 4:00 PM, I staggered into the area of my safe house; an area so beautiful, tree-lined, and peaceful that one would never know of the chaos unfolding just a few miles away were it not for haggard, dust-covered people like me and the sounds of sirens filling the air. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Living in New York City after 9/11 has been an incredible experience. Returning to my home, 2 blocks from Ground Zero provided a stark, daily reminder of my brush with death and my dance with history. While I am happy to say that I didn't lose a friend or loved one as a result of the events of that day, I did lose a lot. My husband lost his job (90% of his company's clients were in the WTC), we lost our home & neighborhood (I couldn't bear to look at & smell the rubble around Ground Zero), I lost a lot of sleep from nightmares (I dream weekly of a faceless terrorist chasing me into a building and putting a gun to my head), and we lost a sense of security (albeit a naive one). I have gained, though as well. I have new insights into myself, my friends and my family that I would never have gained were it not for 9/11. I know, for instance, who my real friends are in this world. If someone didn't take the time to email me and see if I was okay, then their name came off the Christmas card list! More importantly, I learned that I can survive a desperate situation. I also learned to appreciate how incredibly fortunate I am to be alive. Along with hundreds of thousands of other New Yorkers on their way to work that day, if it had been 10 minutes later, I would've been at the World Trade Center when the first plane struck. I grieve for the people who were lost that day and their families that must carry on without them. I cannot fully fathom that I watched so many people's last moments on this planet. I also grieve for the loss to society of all of that collective charity, friendship, love, genius, and expertise. Literally, thousands of lifetimes were extinguished in just a few moments. It's funny, but I also find myself grieving for the oddest things. I miss my old neighborhood and the seemingly carefree life we had before. I miss going shopping at the World Trade Center concourse (the closest thing to a mall in Lower Manhattan at the time). I miss using those gleaming buildings as my compass whenever I surface from the subway. I miss feeling like I was coming home every time I looked at the New York skyline. Everyday brings changes, but some days bring more than others. 9/11/01 will always be blessing & a curse - my burden and my privelege to bear. 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 nmah223.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. 2002-08-19 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 204.167.53.74 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. On September 11, a glorious Cape Cod day, I was directing a landscape I designed when the news shattered the peaceful quiet. More news, and I left the site, leaving equipment and contractors. I went to get my children, to tell them and to be with them. A complete empath, I could not watch the media, people, the efforts, the fire. But life goes on and gardens must get finished, so like everybody else I muddled through the anthrax thing and prayed for sensiblility. Still there was an unrest in me about the sheer numbers of people affected in relation to loss of the site. Millions, Who knows. And the children. So when Rudy Guilani called for a memorial on Dec 28,2001 I considered he (and Oprah!)the client and NY ground zero the site.Enjoying a bus ride to dinner in Boston, my mind cleared to behold complete the design I submitted July 1, 2001.I recieved a wonderful letter on September 11, 2002 thanking me with further instutions for submission. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I was the featured story in Cape Cod Magazine in September 2002 because of the design for the World Trade Center Site. So many people have given me their story and tears. I acknowledge I am different because of the event and unfolding. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I hope 9/11 will be remembered as point when things changed, when the era brought forth and healing and joy.The circle of people who perished on that day represent closing of the sacred hoop, torn hundreds of years and still not connected. THOU SHALT NOT KILL. We are all connected.This is the legacy of 9/11. 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 hung the american flag out and left it out until Christmas, when I honored the circle of our existance with the wreath.This time retrieving the flag made me remember other American moments and how brave and strong I think we are. 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 nmah5431.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. 2003-02-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 67.30.181.102 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 work at an elementary school in Fort Wayne, IN. Our principal told us to turn on our TV's. (no students were at school yet) I saw the burning tower and moments later another plane hit the second one. I ran across the hall to my own room and called my husband at work. He couldn't believe what I was telling him. "Are you sure?" he ask Since my family and I are so far from New York I knew there was no way this would personally affect us. I was wrong. I got an e-mail from my daughter. She had just talked to a client in the tower an hour before the plane hit. Over the course of her job she has had contact with many people on that same floor. Her comment was that "They are not dead they are just gone." "What is happening and where are we safe?" "I love you mom." That's a lot to here from your 26 year old daughter. How do you comfort and what do you say? "I love you too." 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? We have always flown our 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 nmah6332.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. 2003-10-21 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 168.102.16.179