23 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 started just like any other day at school, I was walking down the hall, and people were talking about a plane crash in Washington D.C. I thought nothing of it at the time, but when I got to my second period class my History teacher and some students had gathered around the television, it was then that I knew something was terribly wrong. We watched the news the whole period and watched as the building burst into flames, and then crumbling to the ground. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Ever since 9-11 my perspective on life has changed. Many children lost parents in this tragic event, which has brought me closer to my family. I now realize how lucky I am to have parents that are there for me. This event has made me proud to be an American! NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think this day should be a day reserved for those who lost loved ones. I also think we should give police officers and fire fighters the respect they deserve. 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, we fly a flag because me and my family are proud to be Americans. 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 nmah510.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. 2002-08-29 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 208.191.87.61 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 an equities trader and was in my office in Chicago, IL watching CNBC with my wife (who was a trader at the time also) and several friends, simply going about my business of the morning. I noticed the futures markets going down and immediately said to anyone who could hear "What is going on?" I then learned that a plane hit the World Trade Center. My wife's family is largely from the New York area and I have a lot of family and many friends there as well so after the first plane, we immediately began calling. I had read up on Osama bin Laden several months earlier and felt this was his work so I immediately worried for the safety of everybody I knew. We saw the 2nd plane hit on CNBC as well and the horrible Pentagon crash on CNBC too. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I live in a high rise and i am much more cautious about everybody around me, both in the building and away from me in all places. On a positive side, it further strengthened the tight family and friend ties that I have. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? a) the mixed feelings of helplessness and determination that most Americans felt that day. b) the resilience and feeling of coming out of this as a unified people in an attempt to stop all of these horrific actions going on in 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? I was fairly patriotic before 9/11/01 and I'm even more so now...I always had a distinct feeling of prid about our flag and it has only been enhanced. Our nation is not angelic (the peoples or the government), but it is an incredible place to be and I may be biased, but I think it's the greatest nation on the planet and that the U.S. flag is the most beautiful of all of the world'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 nmah3769.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. 209.10.137.4 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 witness to the history of 9/11 is tha I was very shocked. When I came to school that day all the teacher's were all in a sad mood. I thought something had happened to a student but it was worse,it was the twin towers! It was so shocking to find out that so many people had died from a horible accident.I will never forget it. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, I am more closer to my family. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The twin towers in real life and when they were desroyed. 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 an american flag in my room over my bed. 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 nmah3564.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. On September 11, I was in school I was in history class when al of a sudden, my teacher said that the twin towers had just collapsed. We thought he was just joking and we all started giggling a bit. But after he said that, his eyes began to get red. During lunch, everyone was talking about the tragedy and it was until then that we had known that the information our teacher had given us was true. After school, I took the bus and went back home. The bus driver told us to get on the bus quickly for some reason. When I got home, I turned on the t.v, and they showed the twin towers. First they showed how two planes crashed into them and then they showed the part where they collapsed. I couldn't believe my eyes. Since the phone lines weren't working too well on that day, my grandmother was really scared because she was not able to contact my mother. When my mother and father got home, my grandmother was calm again, but we were all really scrade about the attack that had just happened in our city. 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 nmah4961.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. 205.188.208.71 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 New Orleans, Louisiana. I was fifteen when September 11th occured. I remeber siting in class, ten minutes before the bell was to ring. It was second period, band class. I remeber the teacher getting a phone call from her friend who worked at another school telling her to turn on the television, that we are under attack. I remeber how franticly she searched for the on button. When the television warmed up the images we saw before us were unimaningeable. The first tower was standing still, though engulphed in flames, the second tower hadn't been hit yet. The whole of the class watched in horror. I remeber thinking, "Well this is it... this is the begining of the end of the world. I just hope to God on one has used nukes yet." At that time we had no idea who attacked us, if we attacked first, or even if it was over. Reports said that there were more planes in the air that they had suspected of being hijacked. We heard about explosions in the capital, that schools were being blow apart. Reports were coming in from everywhere. People even said that there were biological agents involved. I watched the second strike live on television. I saw the first tower fall. I saw the plane spread across the ground. I saw the bodies of human beings falling from the sky, trying to escape death by fire. Couples jumped off holding hands. One fire fighter was killed on the ground by one of these falling people. I pray no country has to go through what we went through that day... the horror, the pain, the anger, the fustration all rolled into one ball. That day changed the future of warfare and the entire way of life for the world. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has not changed, I wouldn't let it. If we let terrorists change the way we live then we let the terrorists win. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Our botherhood, patriotisim, love for each other, or detrmination to find those that did this and bring them to justice. We were one as a nation at that time and the whole of the world was with 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? Yes, my family flew the flag. We flew it high and proudly. Patriotisim flurished in the United States after those events and we banded together, under one flag, to defeat those who took so many lives from us. 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 nmah6442.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. 2004-02-17 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 63.175.120.2 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. got home late ,mum was sitting down in the lounge ,and she told me a best friend from sydney called and said that the towers had been bombed or something like that ,i laughed and shrugged it of as a joke as there was nothing on tv at that time in perth,then about an hour later i saw what was to be all that was on tv for the next couple of days, i couldnt sleep,felt sick and didnt know what to do,so i grabed my drum and went for a walk down to the local beach ,i played my drum constant for about 3 hours and watched the sun come up behind me all the way experiencing title waves of emotion black holes of thought and a contant thought of helplessness for the people so far away ,where do i stand in all this mess i kept asking myself ,is it my fault?why did this happen ,is this happening?as the next day unfolded these thoughts just kept getting stronger and stronger as the different footages of the collapse and incidents at the pentagon and other hijackings came to view,WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO?even to this day i feel pain where normally i feel pain when someone i love hurts me, because of this day 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 nmah6487.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. 2004-04-02 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 218.214.16.185 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 home using the bathroom when I heard the phone ring, it was my husband telling me to turn on the TV fast that the World Trade Center was hit by a plane. I turned on the TV and watched in horror as the second plane went into the building. I remember thinking" We are under attack and God help us". My neighbor called and my daughter called none of us could believe something like this could happen in the USA. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I think it has changed in that I now have more fear of flying and disease, But I also am also more aware of how much I love my county and like the words to Lee Greenwood's song "Will protect her to the end" God bless the USA! NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The poor people who went to work like we all do and lost their life. Also the many people who tryed to help. 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 fly the flag every day( Its only paper, and its in my window but I'll keep it there always. I love our flag and I feel proud to be an American. The flag will always unite us as a great free nation. 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 nmah167.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. 64.12.103.179 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 am the first witness to the attack on the World Trade Center,factually documented I witnessed the attack during testimony in a court of law in 1989. I ordered the attack on 9-11-2001 to be stopped by contacting the proper authorities. I asked the judge to help have the building evacuated on that date. I told the court the legal represenatives were already involved in a fraud on the court and were not following instructions and would not follow additional information I was ordering them to do. Factually documented in Palm Beach County Florida in written and oral recordings, in the 15th judicial circuit. In front of Judge Edward Garrison while giving sworn testimony in case number 87-10396 AE, there are 9 witnesses most lawyers who had a fiduciary duty to client and country. I was being defrauded as were others which is a crime. Factually I got hit with a bright light and had pure vission and hearing. First I was wisked inside the plane.The plane was heading right for the WTC and saw the attack from inside. I then saw different angles of the attack,one where I am right above the buidings before the collapse.I saw the pictures you saw of the TV news. I was angry and I told my lawyers when the whole world finds out one day this attack could have been stopped the world will come looking for you.I then made predictions of other future events that would occur in years previous the attack so they could not forget the furure.many of the other predictions have also come to pass and are now part of history. A history you should know the FBI will not investgate.CBS,ABC,NBC,CNN, FOX, MSNBC,a number of senators and congressmen were all notified and given the information and the names of the people responsible and failed in their duty as officers of the court.Mast of all you should know the 9-11 commission was notified and to this date writing you has never once wrote or called back. Factually you should know I am no clairvoyant nor do I make money speaking to the dead.I was born and raised as a catholic,to me when I hear God did this. I can tell you GOD did make a warning, GOD did try to stop this attack,he did send a witness,factually man or men decided to bet against him and me. So I can say to all of you who read this I am Kenneth Keith Bottone, my mother,Rosa M. Bottone, and Michael James Bottone my father walked into a court of law to save our name and tried to save this nation.I saw the attack on the World Trade Center in May of 1989. I am the first witness. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. The fraud in Florida still ocurrs and the state turns its back on it's statuatory dutie's. I know the press in America is not free. The FBI is not an investigative agency. TV and cable is not free, and their news is not news. I saw where the History channel can give evidence of a conspiracy to Kill a president and the news not blink an eye.A Texas president.I saw one steal an election and the people and the voice of the people be silenced. I have given up on the world that the nuns in school told us about.Be honest, trust worthy,do your duty to honor and respect and you'll get ahead. Lawyers are the biggest criminals and the lowest proffession.Judges turn a blind eye for the sake of legal correctness. Politicians should not exist in an age of instant communication.Money killed people on September 11,2001. My faith in American People to see the real truth and do something about it is gone.News is printed in newspapers and there are no true American journalists.Truth is not in newspapers. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Four plane's can be diverted in FEDERAL AIR SPACE and we spend how much to protect this country. Not one jet of the UNITED STATES MILITARY left the ground. Lawyers and a corporation doing their fiduciary obligation to client and to their oath of their proffession could have stopped the attack on September 11,2001. Precognition is a blessing from who ever your all mighty is! It would have saved lives, Factually. 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? Flag wavers are gone,they are the one's who cut you off in traffic and give you the finger while doing it. The Flag is like the cross it's symbol is never respected for the real meaning it is suppose to represent. September 11 2001, was planned attack, you just do not know by who. That's your duty to find out,for the sake of old glory,and for which it stands. One nation,under GOD,indivissable, with liberty, and -------- FOR ALL. 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 nmah6371.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. 2003-11-25 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.163.253.71 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, at about 9:00, as I was walking down the stairs at school, one if my friends saw me and said "Isn't that sky scraper thing freaky?" I shrugged it of, thinking he was just talking about nonsense. When I got into the classroom, however, the whole class was silent and watching CNN. I sat down and watched as the replayed the planes crashing into the buildings over, and over. It seemed like a movie, or something, but finally it donned to me that it was all very real. Throughout the day I watched the two towers fall all too fast. By the end of the day the teaching process had resumed, and while all of us were thinking about the attack, we were trying to get back to being normal. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has change many ways since 9/11/01. For one, I think about firemen, airport workers, and policemen much, much more. It's sad that for firemen to be recognized, two buildings collapse, and 1,000 of lives are lost. Also, I (as most people do now) care for my family, and treasure the moments we have together. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Of course the life's lost should always be remembered, but some other things should be remembered too. I think the people that volunteer their time to help uphold peace should always be thought of, and respected. 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? After the attack, we got out our dusty American flag, cleaned it off, and got ready to hang it up. The only problem was that in the area I lived in, so many people bought flag holders, there were none to be found. With no flag holder, we hung out our flag over our porch 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 nmah3809.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. 205.221.2.165 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. In May 2001 my husband Zaden, myself, and our good friend and collegue Phillis began travelling from our home in Chicago to New York each week to our new corporate offices in One World Trade Center. We worked there from May through September 11, 2001. On September 9, Zaden and Phyllis and I flew from Chicago to NYC just like every other Sunday in preparation for work on Monday. Late Monday the 10th, Zaden left World Trade One, rented a car in Battery Park, and drove to Rhode Island for client meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday. Phyllis and I, along with our other good friend Carolyn met for breakfast Tuesday morning September 11th at our hotel before work. For some reason we lingered over breakfast and didnt leave for work (about 1 and 1/2 blocks away) until 8:35am. Normally Zaden and I would have gone to The Mall in the World Trade Center to get coffee before going through security and up to the 19th floor. Because we were late and Zaden wasnt with us, we just went directly to work. It probably saved our lives. Phyllis, Carolyn, and I were just unpacking and plugging in our laptops when we felt the entire building shake, pause, and then shake again. My first thought (after climbing out from under my desk where I was trying to plug in my laptop) was earthquake. It was clear that we needed to leave the building. As I began to grab some of the things I had just unpacked, others began moving toward the door. As they opened the door, they realized that smoke was pouring into the hallway from the door on the other side of our floor and they came back into our area. Everyone gathered at the doorway and then we all went out into the hallway to get to the stairwell. In the move to the stairs, Phyllis and I were separated from Carolyn. The stairwell was filled with the most amazing people. They were calm and orderly and leant a helping hand to those who needed help. The further down we went the more smoke filled the stairwell and those who were able to covered their mouths and noses with their shirts. At one point everyone came to a halt and the people below us indicated that we needed to go back up to the 13th floor to get to an open door. After a few moments of indecision and discussion (No! Go down), people once again began moving down the stairs. . . it was at this point that the firemen began running past us on their way up the stairs. Although I didnt know it at the time, this was also about the same time that Zaden was trying to get through to me on my cell phone (which didnt work in the stairwell). Our friend and collegue, Frank, in Rhode Island had been notified of the news reports that a small two-engine plane had hit the WTC. Frank came in to their meeting and got Zaden and two of our other coworkers, took them out of the meeting and told them what he had heard. At that point, no one really knew what was going on but they were trying to find out. As the firemen passed us on the stairwell they told us to continue down even though the smoke was much worse. The sprinklers had come on and the water began to come down on us and to pool on the landings before waterfalling down the stairs. As we came out of the stairwell on the ground floor, I didnt recognize where we were. I thought that we had come out in some back hallway until I saw the security turnstyles. That is when I realized that we were in the main lobby. The floor was torn up and there were areas of the floor that were burning. There was debris, glass, and injuries. I later learned that when the first plane hit the building a service elevator cable was cut which caused the elevator car to slam to the first floor filled with jet fuel. The door burst open and that is what caused the destruction and injuries in the lobby. We were directed out through the Marriott Hotel because of the damage to the front of our building and the falling glass and metal. We passed a horribly burned woman and people who were trying to help her. We were directed through Tall Ships restaurant. Tall Ships had been our normal lunch place and after work gathering place so we knew it well. As we approached the door a fireman was saying cover your heads, dont look up. As we got closer he began to say Run, keep your head down. We exited onto Liberty Street at the bottom of World Trade Two and just as my foot hit the median in the middle of Liberty street, I heard a plane rev its engine over my head. This was the second plane going into World Trade Two at 9:03am. We ran across West End Avenue and around the corner of the World Financial building. Phyllis and I were desparately trying to find Carolyn. I was also trying to use my cell phone to call Zaden but I couldnt get through. We went into a dry cleaners and the women behind the counter just handed us her phone. We tried to offer money but she just waved it away. I still couldnt get through to Zaden on his cell and I couldnt for the life of me remember any of the numbers in Rhode Island even though I worked there for two years! So I called my Mom in Seattle and woke her up. I told her that Phyllis and I were out of the building, that the buildings were destroyed, and that we were looking for Carolyn. I asked her to call Zaden and Phyllis husband Tom. Amazingly we were both so calm. It was 6:15am her time and she hadn't even seen the TV yet. She took down the phone numbers and just before we hung up she said "Lisa, just tell me one thing, are you okay?". Along with many others we went a few blocks down toward the water. It seemed the safest place to go. We continued to look for Carolyn and to call her but we had no luck. All of a sudden Phyllis cell phone rang and it was Carolyns husband Marq. He was in Virginia, watching TV and trying to get in touch with Carolyn. We were able to tell him that we had found someone who had seen her on the ground and so we knew she had gotten out of the building before us. He told us that they were saying on the news that the building was beginning to lean and to get out of there. We began walking along the water until we were forced back up to the street. We were about 5 or 6 blocks away when the first building came down. We stood at the end of the street, with WTC2 crumbling directly in front of us and then came the cloud. I kept thinking it would stop but it just kept coming until it engulfed us and everything turned dark. Phyllis and I tied ourselves together with the sleeves of my jacket by each looping it through a belt loop so we wouldnt get separated and we continued to head east and north. For those of you who know Phyllis, dont for a second believe her when she says she cant walk very far! Ive seen her calmly descend 19 floors, walk miles, and even climb over cement barriers. Our original plan was to get to the Eastgate Hotel, our old stomping ground on East 39th between 2nd and 3rd. As we were walking, we heard someone run by and say that they hit the UN (which is close to the Eastgate). Then we passed a van with a radio and heard that the Pentagon had been hit. We decided then that we wouldnt go to the Eastgate, that we needed to get off of Manhattan Island. We had no access to radio or TV and so we still had no idea exactly what was going on but we knew it was bad. We walked through Battery Park to the FDR in the cloud you have seen on TV, along with thousands of other people toward the Brooklyn Bridge. Almost to the bridge, a wonderful man picked three others and us up and gave us a ride in his blazer. He had a radio and we finally were able to get some idea of what was going on. We finally made it out to a hotel by JFK airport. It was about Noon or 12:30pm. Phyllis stood in line to get us 78th on the list of people waiting for a hotel room! They had evacuated JFK so they were bringing in busloads of people from JFK with no where to go. While Phyllis stood in that line, I stood in line for the payphone because our cell phones were still not working. I finally got to a phone and got through to Frank who got Zaden. That was the first time I cried. It was so good to hear his voice and to be in a relatively safe place. I dont know if that was the first time that Zaden cried, but I know it was the best silent conversation Ive ever had. The people that we met that day really were amazing. It makes me proud that there are people like that in this country - I knew that there were, I just didnt know how many of them. The brave people that we came down the stairway with; the firemen who ran up the stairs as we came down; the people on the street who stopped to help those who had fallen; the woman at the dry cleaners who gave us her phone to use; the laundry truck driver who threw up the back of his truck and stood in the cloud to hand out towels and linen napkins to people to cover their nose and mouth so we could breathe; Hiam, who picked up five strangers in NYC and drove us all somewhere safe; and then there was Ellenis. Ellenis was standing at the pay phone next to us. She saw Phyllis and I break down when we finally were able to reach our husbands, she saw that among all the displaced people at the hotel from JFK that we were covered in dirt and white ash. She began to talk with us and learned that we had escaped from the World Trade Center. She took us up to her room. She and her sister-in-law Danielle had a rental car and had decided to drive to L.A. rather than try to fly. They sat us down and gave us something to drink while they packed their belongings and they gave us their hotel room. Ellenis would not go down to the front desk with us to change the room to our name and our credit card because she was afraid that we would lose the room to one of the other 77 people on the list in front of us. She gave us contact numbers to reach her in L.A. as well as phone numbers for her brothers. She gave us her room on her credit card and said, well make it up later. You cant imagine what the gift of that hotel room meant to Phyllis and I. We had a place to sit, a bathroom, a TV to figure out what was happening, and most of all, a phone we could use to call out and people could call us. Pretty simple items that really were about the very best gift Ive ever received. Because we finally had a phone we were able to find out from Zaden and Marq that they had been in touch with Carolyn, she was safe and had gotten to the Eastgate. Zaden was able to call my Mom and Dad and tell them we were safe. My Mom knew that we had gotten out of the building but she also knew we were looking for Carolyn; then she saw the building collapse and didnt hear from me for another 3 1/2 hours. Throughout our morning, Zaden was going through the other side of the trauma. In some ways Im glad that I was in my shoes (flats that day by the way!) rather than his. I had to concentrate on figuring out what to do and where to go the whole time while he had silence and not knowing what was happening. Zaden wasnt able to get to a TV until later in the morning. He stood in Finnigans in Providence, Rhode Island and couldnt believe what he was seeing on TV. Our friends in Rhode Island supported him. They notified him as soon as they heard that something had happened and they stood with him while he watched it on TV. They actually saw Carolyn walking down the FDR while they were watching the TV so they knew she was okay. Zaden became the point of contact for everyone and called our families to keep them updated and to get updated. Our families and friends had no way of knowing that Zaden was not in the WTC with us and had a very scary time until they were able to hear from him. He and Marq were the connection between me and Phyllis and Carolyn. They coordinated on how to get us out of NYC. Marq began driving up from Virginia and Zaden was able to drive from Rhode Island. One way or the other, they were going to get the three of us out of there! Zaden got within about 10 blocks of our hotel (they had blocked the roads). Phyllis and I walked out to meet him the next morning (Wednesday). Marq drove to New Jersey and Carolyn was able to get a train out of the city to meet him. After a stop in New Jersey to see Carolyn with our own eyes, Zaden drove us home (in the stolen Hertz car) to Chicago and Marq drove Carolyn home to Nashville. We got Phyllis home to her husband Tom in Arlington Heights, Illinos, on Thursday evening. Every person has their story from that day, Im thankful that ours turned out the way it did. We were all so very lucky. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. In the aftermath, we have both had our ups and downs. We are so thankful to be safe; to be together, and to have our close friends safe. Thank all of you who left voice mails, sent emails, and sent cards. You helped. We are heartbroken for the firemen and policemen, the one person from our company and the eight people from our parent company who were not able to make it out safely, and all of the others who lost their lives and their loved ones. We are getting better each day although things will never be the same. I guess really they shouldnt be the same. I want to hold tight to the lessons that I learned this year, what it means to help others, that the daily hassels and frustrations that seem so important at the time are of no comparison to seeing and being able to hold that person that you love, lending someone who needs help a hand, what it means to be an American, and how much, in the end that you still need your Mom and Dad no matter how old you get! Within two weeks Z and I were back on a plane. This time to Seattle to see my Mom & Dad and our family. I can tell you that there was nothing better than having my Mom, Dad, sisters, and brothers to hug and cry with. We also went to Texas to see Zadens Mom (more great hugs), brothers and sisters, and his Dad and Doris (more great hugs). We celebrated Zadens Dads 80th birthday with him while we were there. We have been back in New York City working out of temporary office space in the W Hotel at 49th and Lexington. It is doubtful that our company will survive intact so we know additional changes are coming but we also know that we are together and have our friends and familes and that we are part of an amazing country. The challenge is for us to not forget how very lucky we are as time goes on. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Our wish is that you take some time to hug those you love and let them know how much they mean to you. My other wish is that you will find some time to give something to a stranger on the street -- even a smile and a hello will do -- you never know just how much of a gift it might be for them. The ordinary people who performed extra ordinary acts of kindness is what should be remembered. We are so thankful to have people like that in our lives. 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, we did fly an American Flag. My feelings haven't changed but they have grown stronger. 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 nmah4146.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. 64.109.167.187 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 in a class, an HTML class to be exact at the University of Alabama Huntsville. I did not witness the first plane hit the tower, but was watching when the 2nd plane hit, instantly I knew we were under attack. I work for the Government, a Logistics Engineer. The Class was dismissed at that time, I hurried back to work, to be available for what ever was needed. By the time I returned to work, I found out the Pentagon was hit also. I was fearful for 4 of my co-workers that had recently been assigned their on temporary duty. I was also worried about 3 people from my office that were traveling that day or had already traveled and how would they get home. We received calls from all workers except one. I will call him the lucky one. We finally received a call from his wife, she had heard from him. He was in that section that was hit, but had left the building 20 mins before to get his wife a birthday card. When he came out of the Mall, which is close to the Pentagon, he saw the damage, tried to help as much as he could. He lost 2 co-workers he had just started working with. The lucky one has definitely been changed by this. The travelers from our office took almost 4 days afterwards to get back home, some hitched rides, some had rental cars they drove back home. 1 took a train, another a bus. My perspective on this was 2 fold. 1. I hate to say this, because it naws at my soul, but as an engineer I was intrigued by the terrorist method, using the planes as weapons. Not a bomb, not a gun attack, but using the planes and their fuel. I knew when they hit those towers, the towers would fall. I knew the burning temp of the fuel, I knew the metal in the support structures would weaken and collapse. I was angry that the US airlines had not re-enforced their cockpit doors. Most European and Israel airlines had this capability. I wondered why the passengers of the planes had not fought back, when as it was reported on the news that the terrorist had been brutal cutting, slashing stewardess and passengers. I was proud of the Passengers that fought back, sad that they plane crashed in Penn. In all Honesty, I look at those individuals as hero's, and I only hope I would have done the same. My 2nd thought was this, whom ever, where ever those responsible for this, we needed to hunt down and kill publically if possible. In other words I was angry. My Prayers go out to those individuals, minus those Damn terrorist of course, that died on that day. To those that who worked tirelessly to try and rescue those injured. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. How has my life changed. I was always cautious when I flew looking over as many as possible, to watch for the crazies. I am even more diligent, I watch all bags, all people for anything that would raise concern. I know one thing, if someone were to try anything, I would be one of the first to confront attack stop them. I had previously mentioned that I work for the Gov, DOD, US Army, civilian, I have wait lines to enter our organization of up to 30 mins to an hour. I work our Emergency Operations Center, I do my small part in supporting our sons and daughters, our soldiers fighting this evil enemy. I pray for their safe return and mourn when we loose someone. I hope we our citizens of the United States of America, do not Waiver, do not become complacent. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? As a Country and the people of this great nation: We should remember the act of terrorism that was low down and dirty. We need to come out of our shells and come to grips with the idea of we are the big dog on the block and others will come gunning for us. We need to realize that others use the USA as a tool to rally their insane and uneducated pawns. To have these organizations they must have something to hate and despise, we the US are the thing to Hate. I see a parallel in this use. Hitler did this with the jews, the gays, the gypses, to all others that did not fall into his grand plan. He used this to rally the German People. The US does not fall into these terroist grand plan, we are the great evil. Since we are seen as this, we must protect ourselves from their attempts to bring us down. We can only protect ourselves if we the citizens realize we can not leave it up to just the police the military, we must all do our part, we much watch others, become curious as to what is going on in the next apartment. We must get off our lazy butts and be vigilant. Do not be afraid to report something suspicious, if it is nothing, then you will not need to worry about it anymore. But then again, you might just stop some terrorist from blowing up your childs school. From a personal viewpoint I feel that we should remember the loss of human life. The selfless acts of the fireman and policeman that tried to save others and died trying to do this. The pain and suffering the families went through trying to find out news of their loved ones. To those that lost someone. The deep deep sorrow and the pain they felt. We should remember that this cowardly act, was an act of war, and we should support this war with everything we have. 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 stood in line for 2 hours to get a large Flag, the small one I had to me didnt cut it. I flew the Flag and I still do. I am DAMN Proud to be an American. My feelings about the American flag have changed greatly. I only flew the flag on the normal everday holidays. Now it is up on my house each and ever day. I will do this 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 nmah182.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. 198.26.122.12 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 am the Office Manager of RiverPark Center in Owensboro, KY. On 9/11/01, I was at work early because of a meeting of our Executive Committee. Shortly after 8 a.m., our Sales Manager called me to tell me to turn on the television immediately. I went into one of the offices with a television and turned to see pictures of the burning Trade Center Tower. As I and another employee watched, we saw the second plane hit the other tower. At that time, we both thought the same thing...that terrorists had attacked us on our own soil. The Executive Committee meeting was breaking up and I reported the news to all the members as they exited. I don't think I stopped crying the entire day. I kept the radio in my office tuned to NPR all day. When they announced that the first tower had collapsed, I had to run back to the television. To see the skyline with only one tower standing was so heartbreaking. Then, of course, we got word that the Pentagon had also been hit. Watching the replays of the planes crashing, the buildings collapsing, all I could think of was the people. How terrifying must their last moments have been, whether on those planes headed for the buildings, or in the buildings knowing they could not get out. Along with the grief of that day, my pride in my country was never higher upon hearing of all the acts of heroism that occured all day and for the weeks to come. How much I wanted to reach out to anyone who lost someone that day, no one can ever know. I pray they will find peace and remember their loved ones with tenderness and joy. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I definitely appreciate every moment of every day and tell all family members and friends how much they mean to me. And, of course, I worry when any of them travel now. I pray for our service men & women overseas, even if I'm not sure I agree with their being there. And I pray that no other country will ever have to experience what our country and the world watched happen on 9/11/01. PEACE! NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The acts of heroism of the firefighters and officers who rushed into the buildings to try to rescue anyone they could. The passengers who fought back on the airplane that crashed in Pennsylvania. And especially how this country was united in their grief & anger. 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 wear a pin every day now, whereas before 9/11 I would wear one on July 4th and Flag Day. I have always felt so proud to see the American flag...that has not changed. 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 nmah6026.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. 2003-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 216.69.43.81 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 heard about the terror attacks against the United States, I was at Rapid Run Middle School in Cincinnati Ohio. I can remember my teacher, Mr. Sowders, doing something on his computer, when suddenly he ran out of the room. The other students and I had no clue where he went, but we could tell by the way he left something was wrong. Mr. Sowders cam back a little bit later with Mr. Upchurch, the principal of my school, by his side. He turned on the television and explained to U.S. that there was a plane that had just crashed into the World Trade Center, and about two minutes later, right as I was leaving his class worryied, I saw the second plane crash. I was horrified and confused. My fellow classmates and I went to are lockers as told and went to are next class. I went to Mrs. Cornett's room. Mrs. Cornett tried to continue teaching us but couldn't, so we stoped and had our eyes glued to the T.V. Soon later the plan crashed in the Pennsylvania field. After that I went home and I was very scared and I knew from that day on my life would be changed. 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 nmah5556.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. 2003-07-03 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 67.241.9.207 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 a typical Tuesday at Penn Tank Lines, Inc. We were just doing our billing when our mechanic came in and said that he heard that the World Trade Center had been bombed. We had a television for conference videos. We set it up and to our surprise it was true. Or at least we thought until the second plane hit. Standing there in disbelief, I looked outside to see the bright sunshine and wonder how did the plane not see the buildings. Then it hit like a brick in a pond; the Pentagon has now been hit. I just couldn't believe what I was witnessing. I told my husband that I wanted to get our four children from school and I wanted them NOW. Shortly after him calming me down, I recieved a phone call from a daughter of one of our co-workers. It seems that she couldn't locate her father who was out on a business trip for our company. I immediately called corporate to see if anyone knew what flight he was taking, if any one had heard from him. It was then I started to realize what kind of trouble we were in. I mean here is a family man who, thank God didn't, could of been on the wrong plane and been lost just like all of the other souls. I just can't imagine what the family members of the victims are and have been going through. I did go to our corporate office that day which is only 3 miles away from where I worked. I remember I kept looking in the sky for a plane to fall from the sky. I remember feeling helpless. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has changed. I don't want and try not to take life for granted. I appreciate all that my children have to offer. We play more games. We watch less TV. When I am at work, they call me and that is OK. I listen more. We don't take any time together for granted. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The innocence lost: Brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, daughters, sons, friends, grandmothers, grandfathers, cousins, co-workers. These people should never be forgotten. 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 fly the flag before, but now it is out more than it is in. The American flag is now standing for not just freedom, but also unity. We have the same flag. We have the same freedoms. WE ARE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. "ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE" 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 nmah4274.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. 152.163.188.168 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. "Witness history?" That's rather bold. I didn't "witness history;" I saw things happen. I remember sitting in class, surrounded by hicks (it's a Tennessee high school, go figure). At first, some people thought it was a joke. Must've been some sick joke, if you ask me. Later, once everyone had a chance to see the towers collapse on TV, things went from bad to ugly. People were freaked out, but not in the way you'd expect. In the hallways I heard shouts of "We's goin' to war wit' Palestinia!" and "I can't wait to get 'em back!" (excuse the approximate vernacular). Even then, it was an instant reminder of the absolute stupidity of man, especially of the American teenage male. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, but not in the way most people claim it's changed their lives. If anything, I am far less patriotic than I was before, after seeing my fellow citizens become nearly feral with rage against people they don't know, all the while managing to somehow retain their superiority. It made me realize something I'd never really thought of before - WE ARE NO BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE. (And that's putting it modestly. On another day, I might have written that we are the scum of this planet. Today, however, I've decided to retain a bit of tact.) Then came the wave of "No other nation can truly understand what we've gone through." Yeah, and George W. Bush was fairly elected the president of the United States... But I digress. Essentially, the events of September 11th, or more specifically the actions of most American citizens after September 11th, have shown to me just how vacuous American patriotism can be. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we all need to remember that IT CAN HAPPEN HERE, TOO. Maybe now we can try to sympathize with people in the third world, where this stuff happens all the time, often on a much larger scale. Approximately 3000 people died in the attacks on September 11th (according to howstuffworks.com); 5000 to 7000 people have thus far died in our latest war on the people of Iraq (according to iraqbodycount.net as of June 9, 2003). And now, we've just added more fuel to the anti-American fire. I don't know when the next retaliatory attacks will come, but they probably won't be too long. In short: what goes around, comes around; what comes around, goes around. But maybe, just maybe, we can break the cycle of hate. Maybe we can just stop worrying about who's killing who, and start worrying about who's helping who. 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 did not fly a flag. Yes, my feelings have changed; when I see the flag now, I am immediately and thoroughly nauseated. 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 nmah5542.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. 2003-06-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.158.211.11 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 "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 husband, who was getting ready for work, came running out of his bathroom(where he has a tv)and tells me to turn on the tv in the bedroom as he thinks a plane crashed into the WTC. My first thought was "what a terrible accident" and the saddness I felt for the people inside. I no sooner thought that when I saw a plane in view and moments later that hit too. It was that very moment I knew this was no accident, but a deliberate attack. It was incredible, I couldn't believe what I just saw. I just started crying, as I knew so many had lost their lives. As the hours and days unfolded and we learned about the pentegon and flight 93 in Pennsylvania.I was so angry that this happened to innocent people. A year later, I am still angry and want President Bush to do everything in his power to avenge the deaths of the innocent souls we lost that day. I support all involved in bringing these bastards down and sending them straight back to the devil, whence they came. Never forget, never forget, never forget. God Bless America! NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Indirectly. There is just a deep saddness grieving for people you don't know, but as the family members have come forward and shared their personal stories of the ones they loved,it becomes almost unbearable knowing they are no longer here and there is no reason they should have died this way. My heart is heavy. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? 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, but I also have flown my flag before September ll, 2001. I have always been very proud of my country and flag, but now I have a different perspective of what it means, it is a privledge to live in this great country and we should celebrate that fact every day. 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 nmah5027.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. 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. As I was leaving the Nassau County Pool after a good swim, the young girl at the desk said Father Tom(I am a catholic priest)a plane just hit the World Trade Center. They think it may be a small prop plane. Not knowing much more and the news in the car didn't say much, I went back to the rectory only to see the entire rectory staff fixed on the TV in the living room. Over the course of the next hours, I saw human destruction of the buildings falling down, lives crushed and spirits broken. I went into the church knelt down and began to cry and ask God to give me understanding and to help my faith. Over the course of the next few days, it was apparent that we lost a number of parishioners. A fireman, a businessman, a cook, a stock trader and a few others. I slept little during those few days and I prayed often for my own faith. God heard my prayer and I was strengthened by many. Seven days later I went down to Ground Zero the story continues in the next question. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. If I may I would like to share with you some thoughts of my days at Ground Zero,(now called Ground Hero), it has ben called the mark of destruction and death. This morning when I awoke, I thought of trying to go into the city. I thought, maybe they could use a priest in the area. I wasn't sure if I could even get in there. I wasn't sure if I should drive or take the train. I decided to take the car.I found myself driving to Jones Beach. I needed to have a conversation with God. I told Him, if He wants me to go in, that He would have to make it happen. He made it happen. I got past the check points at the Brooklyn Battery Park Tunnel and drove right into Manhattan. As I parked my car, I saw a fireman sitting by the curb. I went over to him and extended my hand and said "thanks for all you are doing." He smiled and said "No, thank you Father for coming." I asked him where I should go and he said "Just turn around." It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. We have seen pictures on TV and in print, however, when I turned around there were no words. I will never forget the images I saw that morning. I started my walk into the heart of destruction and came upon a rescue worker from Los Angeles, CA. Again, I extened my hand, he put his arm around me and sait, "Thanks for coming Father." I asked him if I could get a mask and he brought me into a secure bldg., gave me a mask, a hat,and a bottle of water. He told me that he has ben to earthquakes on the west coast, but he has never seen anything like this in his life. He thanked me again for coming. As I walked closer to the center, I continued to offer my hand o thanks to the many men and women from all ove the country who came to help us as a city. Firemen came over to me and hugged me, tears in their eyes. Again more thanks offered. A young policewoman came over and put her arms around me and told me she was scared. A construction worker on a big construction rig bent down and went to confession, it had been many years. A ESU rescue worker with his dog from Virginia asked for prayers and a blessing. A young firefighter sitting alone in her thoughts looked at me and said "Do you have the answer?" All I could say was this was an act of evil and it will never win. Good will always be the victor. I stookd with the "?bucket" brigade of police, many who stopped for a moment and asked for a blessing. I spoke to the mayor(Rudy G.)who held my hand and thanked me for being there. I spoke to our governer(George P.) who told me that my being there was a tremendousgift to "us" all. I spoke to men and women from different ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs. I thought to myself that the only color here today was the color of gray - mud on my shoes. After two hours, I knew that it was time to leave so I could be back for a Mass that night. As I was leaving a group of construction workers from Boston were standing around and one guy said "Hay Father, could you throw us a blessing/" I walked over and we stood in a circle in the midst of death and destruction and prayed for strength. I asked God to open a door and He did more than that. He showed me the porfound goodness of people, men and women from all parts of the country. He showed me that He goes before us and we shound not fear. All I wanted to do was walk around and say thank you. What I received will last me a lifetime Father Tom McCormick St.Bernards RC Church Levittown N.Y. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The selflessness and goodness of people from all walks of life. How a city, a nation and a world community came together and opened their hands to give life to others. 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 flag was flown on that day and has continued to be flown. I have always had good feelings about 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 nmah5559.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. 2003-07-06 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 was in a management training class with the United States Post Office when I heard that a plane had crashed into the Trade Center. At first we thought it was just a plane accident of some type. Then when we heard about the second plane and then the Pentagon, everyone was shocked. My husband is from Brooklyn, New York. I live in West Virginia. At that time we were dating and he worked in New York for an environmental firm that did business with the Port Authority. I was worried about him and I did not hear from him until late that evening. We talked for hours and he told me all about what was going on there. He actually went to the site to work the next day and he also shared his experiences with the workers and people of the city that gathered to help in those first few days. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has not really changed a large amount. I do spend more time with family and on that day I realized I wanted to marry the love of my life. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? We should remember that everyone is vunerable to attacks from terrorism. We should remember that America pulled together in a way I don't feel it had in years and we should be thankful for 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 placed a flag sticker on my car like a half a zillion other Americans. My young children wanted flags on everything, but my feelings about the flag did not change. I have always been proud to fly the American flag and I have tried to foster that believe in my children. 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 nmah1559.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. 56.0.96.18 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 Redondo Beach, California, so like many people, I wittnessed the attacks of Sept 11, 2001 on the Televison and heard them on the radio. It was around 5:45am that morning, still dark outside, and I had turned on the tv set while I got ready for work. The news station I was on, Fox TV, channel 11, suddenly went to breaking news, and on the screen, was the footage of the WTC towers. One of the towers, had smoke pouring form it and a plane shaped hole in its side. The anchors were saying that it might be accidentaly, but looking at it, I didn't think it could be. I was frozen, standing in my bedroom, watching the tv set and praying for the people inside, When the cameras caught another plane, banking, and I saw the plane slice into the second tower. I was horrified, and at that point I really knew that it was no accident. I had my hand on my mouth and prayed even harder, "God please hold those towers up and let the people escape and give mercy to those who can't get out." At that point, I shut the tv off and went to work. Listened to the radio on the way, with the contintuing coverage. Got to work, and nobody was working, we were all watching the tv and got word about the Pentagon and the plane going down in PA. My workplace is fairly close to Los Angeles International Airport, so me and mycoworkers could see the effects of the order for all planes to land. Lots of planes, then a few then none. And the news coverage continued, The towers collasped, we all cried. Then we were then sent home and I called my aunt because my uncle sometimes went the the WTC area on business. Fortunely, that day, his business took him the other direction that day. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I became much more aware of how lucky I am to be an American. Since I am single, I went on a more intensive search for partner to love and cherish and I desire to start a family. I am still looking as of now NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember those who lost their lives, many of them, just doing their jobs, like the rest of us. The many childern who lost a mommy or daddy that day. The firefighter and police officers who did their jobs, helping people, and lost their live. They all were everyday heros. 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 flew the flag after that date. Got a jpg file off the internet and made an 11 x 17 copy and put it in the front window of the house I live in. I now look at that flag more and realize all the sacrifices that went into creating this nation and the freedoms we enjoy and how those freedoms must be guarded continuesly 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 nmah4955.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. 2002-09-13 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 4.60.22.171 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 was watching it all on tv. I was shocked compared to everyone else at my school who were all crying. I've never witnessed anything like those attacks in my whole life. I had no idea what to do. I was amazed that people could actualy do that. I was so scared I just kept saying that it was all a dream, but when I'd pinch myself to see if I was right, then finding out that it was real then I just couldn't think at all. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes it's changed and I know that my life personally will never be the same ever, ever, again. After the attacks I was more aware about the incidents that I was hearing all over the news, radio, and on the radio. I'm morre afraid about flying on planes . This summer I had to go on a plane togo some where and I didn't enjoy the vacation until I was back at home. Now aday's whenI here a plane I stop and look up at it and ask questions like 'where is it going' and 'why is it flying so low'. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think everything should be rememberd about September 11th. There is nothing we should or can not remember about the9/11 attacks. 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 flew a lot of American flags. Since 9/11 I've become alot more patriotic. When I look at the American Flag now I feel something I've never felt before when I look at our flag I feel alot different now than ever before. 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 nmah2900.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. 152.163.204.189