35 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. I was getting ready for work. I teach 3rd grade in Bakersfield, California. My son, who is in college, was asleep and his friend called and told him to turn on the TV. He called to me, "Mom,you better come and see this. Something crazy is happening in New York." I watched with utter horror having visited the World Trade center on a trip to New York. Sadly I went to school and the children were very scared and concerned that it could happen here. Most didn't understand that hate usually happens where it will get the most attention, and Bakersfield probably wouldn't give the killers the coverage they were seeking. I returned to New York this summer and was astonished at how different the mood of the city was. It wasn't just a city block that was gone, but the spirit of the city was different. There was a feeling of defeat in the air that I haven't experienced before. The effects on our country will never go away. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I am frightened that the country I love is now seen as a target for hate. It was always a comfort to think we were safe from terror on our own shores. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That we must not give in to hate and terror. We must stand up for what our country is about. Freedom, liberty, justice. We can't let the terrorist win by taking away our home. 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 flew the flag. I am very cognizant of the flag and take it very personally when I see someone abuse it. We say the pledge each morning in my class with respect and pride. 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 nmah1451.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. 2002-09-06 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 66.75.215.90 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 this disaster took place I was so sad by what had happen and all the live that were lost. I must say it was a day that no one will forget. I have a tape that I play whenever I feel like my day is going bad......I stop and think about all the lives that were lost on that day and I begin to say my life could be worst. My prayers will always be for those of us who are left behind to still feel the pain of the lost love ones. I can only say that we really need to ask God back into our lives and quit saying that we do not need him. What I mean by that is that so many say that they do not want to hear about the love of God and they do not want prayer in our schools are they do not want you to even talk about him on our jobs what we really are saying is that we do not need his help...........but as you can see and we all have witness that we do need God's help. He can see what we can not see he can hear what we can not hear. So I would just like to say that........God has always blessed America.......so why don't we begin to bless God by asking for his help and direction. He loves the world so much he is just waiting on the world to acknowlege him. Why don't we try it and I really believe we will like it. May God Bless us all and keep us in the center of his will. In Jesus Name I Pray......Amen. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has changed. I will never forget what I seen. I will always thank God for my life and quit conplaining. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Everyone that was lost. And all of those families that have to deal with the lost of their loves every day. We must never forget that someone today has no mother to hug or father to say good night to. This disaster should never leave us to think that it could not happen to one of 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 have my flag flying right now.......and no my feeling have not changed about our beauitful country. I know that we are still a very blessed 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 nmah302.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. 208.178.23.170 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 first heard the news when I called a friend that morning to say hello. She said, "did you hear about the attack?" I said, "I haven't had a chance to read the newspaper. What attack?" She said, "no it's happening now!" When I turned on the T.V. it was if I was watching an old movie. Time seemed to be thrown into confusion, splintering, just like the Twin Towers. I couldn't tell what was happening then or what was a re-play, and couldn't believe what I was seeing anyway. I felt shock, horror, grief and disbelief all it seemed at once. After the events, I never did feel hatred, just a deep sense of loss. Loss of feeling of America as a safe harbor, untouched directly by the tragedy of world events. Loss of so many Americans who gave their lives that day, just for being at their job or doing their job. But through it all, I felt a deep pride in the love we Americans showed eachother. So many large and especially small acts of kindness, sacrifice and civility; the help and the hope. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. How has it changed me? I think I'm more patient when things don't go right during the day, or even when I have to wait in lines. I feel more understanding when others are having a difficult time; and most of all I think I'm more resolved to keep a sense of quiet calm inside me and to remember that if all those thousands of people got up, went to work, flew on the planes, and had to face what they had to face that day, with so much courage and strength, that I surely can go about my trivial day with more grace and humility. I owe them that. For the first time I think I've really seen the resiliency of the human spirt and the meaning of real love. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The strength of Americans and their love for eachother. 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'm more openly 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 nmah52.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. 2002-07-03 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.169.116.212 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 was a typical morning; I had overslept. I rushed around my tiny apartment in downtown Dallas, knowing I would be late for a mid morning meeting. As part of my morning ritual, I had the tv on, sound down, in my bedroom as I dressed quickly. I caught a glimpse of the television behind me in my dressing mirror and turned around slowly in disbelief. I remember walking towards the tv and reaching down to turn up the sound. I found myself kneeling in front of the television as I watched the towers crumble. I really dont know how long I sat there staring at the screen until the feeling of tears hitting my cheeks jolted me back into reality. I wept for the wives and husbands whose spouses would not return from work that day. I wept for the families waiting at the airport for flights carrying their loved ones that would not arrive. The rush, the meetings, the seemingly important tasks of daily life, all were put painfully into perspective that morning. Although miles and lives away, I wept with the nation for the victims and their families as if they were my own. 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 nmah6400.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. 2004-01-06 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 206.50.172.6 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, watching t.v. when my mother called & said, Did you see what happened, what building does Michelle work in? I responded, Tower#2, but she's always late for work, so I'll try her cell phone & see if I could reach her, to tell her to turn back. Well, as I watching, the second plane hits her tower & I just lost it after that. As you can tell, my daughter, Michelle Scarpitta, made it to work & earlier than usual, but she never returned, she was murdered by the hijackers & my heart has been broken in so many pieces, that sometimes I don't want to go on. I also have a son, who because of what happened, became a FDNY firefighter, so maybe he could help someone, if it happens again, for which I am very proud, but very frightened for him. He keeps telling me that he's trained, but, you can never be that trained for something like that, so I pray each & every day for him. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has drastically changed & for the worse. My daughter, Michelle, was on the 84th. floor of tower#2 & she never returned, so sometimes my life doesn't feel much like it has any meaning, but I have to be strong for my son. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? All the innocent people that were killed & how this nation came together to help, it was amazing. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? YES, and my feelings have changed since then. I never used to fly the flag, but now I do all the time, as a direct result of 9/11. 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 nmah6793.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. 2004-09-14 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.12.116.20 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. Like millions of people, I was working that morning when the President of our company came running down the hall and told us that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. So after, another plane into the Pentagon. Not knowing the fate of the U.S. at that time, she told us to go home and be with our families. I left work, picked my son up from high school, (which happens to be the only day he was counted absent, ever)and we drove home. It was a very quiet ride home as we listened to the radio as events took place. We were very scared. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, I value every day even more now. I pay more attention to news stories and world events. I realize how quick our freedom can be taken from us. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The fact that as one nation under God we can pull through some horrific moments, both stronger and wiser. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I have always flown an American flag outside my home. It is that everylasting reminder of the freedom we have in this country. My feelings toward my country and my flag have remained strong. It is that display which reminds us everyday that this country is protected by our armed forces, our President, and our people. 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 nmah174.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. 12.39.40.194 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was at school and the teahers had the news on and i saw what hapened to the Twin Towers being distoryed. I now know that things will never be the very same as before september 11th all the family members that where lost when the plain hit and the rescuers that where killed after trying to save peoples lives. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes my life has changed becuse part of my world ws destroyed, not only for the fact that I am now afraid to fly in an air plain, but that I will never get to see what the Twin Towers looked like in real life. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think every one should remamber the men and wemon who died and the men that died trying to help save our people and that we can always reunite after something bad has happen like war and our terrisum war we all ways do and all ways will reunite 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 an American flag because we do not have one. Yes I respect he flag and our colors a lot more now then I ever did. 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 nmah1222.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. Last year, when my class returned to homeroom from music class, my teacher just turned on the TV and put on the news. There I saw the Twin Towers on fire - LIVE! At first, I didn't realize what the big deal was until the second plane hit. Then I was shocked at what a horrible thing someone had done. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. As a country, we have become more united and as a family and individual, I have become more aware of my good fortune to be safe and happy. Also, something that is affecting my parents' lives is the steep decline of stock market prices. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that when we remember September 11th. we should consider the good fortune, not just the bad. If you think about it, there are a lot of stories explaining how so many people had escaped being in the buildings during the attack. Whether it is luck or fate, many lives were saved that day. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, we flew a flag for quite a while after September 11th. The flag has become an even more important symbol to me now. Also, now we fly the flag on special occassions such as Labor Day and the recent one year anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attack. 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 nmah4823.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. 24.163.245.158 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I woke up and stumbled to the bathroom, still half asleep, getting ready for another day at my college internship. My roomate's boyfriend was in the living room and yelled to my roomate something, but I did not hear what he said. All I heard was her telling him to "shut up! your lying." I heard her walk into the living room and then heard both of them in yelling in shock, "Oh my god, this can't be happening." I ran out of the bathroom into the living room, in disbelief, I watched the chaos unfold in DC and New York. I didn't move from the television for the next 24 hours. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I decided to switch from a career in business to one of law. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That these people did not die in vain. They died living free and VIRTUEOUS. The very thing that those that killed them cannot imagine to exist. 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 took the American flag that was on my gradfather's coffin (World War II) and draped it from the top of my mom's two story house. It was my personal slap in the face to the terroists! 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 nmah5328.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. 2002-12-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 141.142.104.146 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was in my science class at C.O Wilson ,as we were watching it.I could see the people jummping out of the windows.When i saw the second plain hit the Trade Center i was thinkinghow could some 1 do this.I was so mad at who did this i thought we should blow there ho,e contry up.Then i thought not every 1 who lived there didnt needed to be punished for some guys mistake. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I went to church more and I have more respect for my contry. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember the people who gave there lives so others could live. 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 felt i should show my respect to my contry 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 nmah647.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. 2002-08-30 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 myself was at school when the terrorist attacks occured. To be exact I was in algebra and all of a sudden my teacher, Mrs. Hadfield got called out of the room and when she came in she had a look of panic on her face and the next thing I knew, she turned on the television and we saw what would later become history, the first twin tower had just colapsed and the second one had just be hit. Mrs. Hadfield started crying as she tried to explain what was happening and why, nobody knew what to think of this. All day this was spreading thriugh the school, everybody was so concerned and when I got home it was literally on EVERY channel. It was so weird and scary to think that, America, our country was attacked. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life really hasn't changed. I believe everyoner should carry on and leave it as a memory in the past and our lives will all be easier. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That it was the day that drew American people closer together and all the living people realized just how lucky they were. I think everyone is also a little more catious about certain things to. 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 did fly an American flag as did most of the people here in America. My views of the flag did not necessarily change but I do believe they are more looked at as a view of freedom, peace and patriotism to our 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 nmah1241.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. 198.81.26.199 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I am a teacher at IS 68 - Isaac Bildersee Intermediate School (Brooklyn, New York). I first heard, from some of the students, that a plane had crashed into the WTC. I assumed, that it was an accident with a small, general aviation, aircraft. I was soon to learn that this was not the case. From the school's third floor windows, I was able to view the WTC billowing smoke. At the same time, televisions began to be turned on giving an eerie dual view of the great tragic events. Shortly thereafter, I was summoned to the Principal's office, by page and walkie talkie transmission. I was asked to join the team that was coordinating early release of students whose parents were showing up to take them out of school. For the next several hours, I was checking parents' identification - - sending for students - - verifying identification - - signing out students - - etc. The usual 30 - 45 minute drive home, to Staten Island, was transformed into an odyssey of detours, delays and encounters with an odd assortment of emergency vehicles from around the area. When school resumed, my carpool passed a local firehouse with its parking lot clogged by the vehicles of now dead heroes, New York's Bravest. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My daily commute to work, over the Verazzano Bridge, has become much longer. The continued presence of NYPD, State Troopers, military personnel, etc. is a grim reminder of the state of the world we all live in. It is hard to view the NYC skyline without thinking of the lives that were lost on 9/11/2001. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? We should remember that innocent lives were lost, heroes were born (and many died) due to the actions of terrorists. Freedom does not come cheaply and we must defend 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? I have always flown an American flag at my home. For a full year after 9/11/2001, I also wore a flag pin on my clothing every day. My father fought in WWII - - possibly because of this, I have always felt that our flag was almost sacred. When the question of whether desecrating the flag should be a criminal offense was debated, I said that the true question should only be whether or not it was a capital offense. GOD BLESS THE USA! 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 nmah5495.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. 2003-04-13 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.168.60.236 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. Private Shawna Humphrey, Cottage City Volunteer Fire Department, Company #2, Prince George's County, Maryland. Pentagon Rescue Worker. Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I remember it like it was just yesterday. I had just moved into Cottage City Fire Department 2 days ago. I what people refer to as a live in member. I had an interview scheduled for 10:30am. So it was about 9:00 as I was dragging my butt out of bed. It was a pretty slow night so I had gotten a fair amount of sleep. I was sitting on my bed deciding what I would wear to my job interview when a career firefighter had run into our bunk area. He was yelling that we were being attacked. He was one of the big jokers of the station so I thought he was just joking. There were only two volunteers left in the station at that time, and we were both still basically asleep. We turned on the news in the bunk area and low and behold a plane was flying into one of the world trade towers. We all kinda stood there in disbelief. About 15 minutes later is was chaos in the station. Our station was the closest to the District of Columbia so our county sent in career reinforcements. I would guess there were 30-40 people trying to figure out what they could do. When the Volunteer Chief arrived at the station, he immediately assigned a crew to every piece of apparatus in the station. Everyone ready and willing to do just about anything. In our station we have an alerting system we call the red phone, it gives 911 dispatch a direct line to any station in the county, and it rang! The District needed some help blocking off roads and reinforcements, just in case something happen. We were directed into DC! Well, we only got about half way to our destination, and what do you know, they had now rang for the 5th alarm assignment at the Pentagon!!!! We were the first due truck on the fifth alarm.. OH MY GOD!!! It was almost like a movie complete and utter awe. The adrenaline was at the highest it has ever been! Our Ladder Truck was directed into one of the many parking lots of the Pentagon. We staged in the parking lot waiting for directions for almost one and a half hours. When we were finally able to go into the main courtyard of the Pentagon it was unbelievable. There were so many people. Army, Navy, Marines, Firefighters, Police.... After about another hour of debating on what we were going to do a plan was devised. Turns out we would be the first crews to make a real "knock" on the fire. I believe there were 37 Volunteer firefighters on the 5th alarm assignment and I have never seen so many people really develop into one mind. It was like a perfect rhythm. Everyone kinda knew exactly what they were supposed to be doing and how they were supposed to be doing it. After many hours of entry and reentry into the Pentagon, our department was released, we could go home! The thing I will remember most of all was how quiet the streets of DC were. There was almost no one at all!!! A city where it takes you 3 hours to go 5 miles, and there is no one on the road. It was eerie. The many hours we were there, we had only one injury (minor). Thank GOD!! My Captain, Sean Gilligan, was definitely at his best. He kept us all together, he reassured us we would all go in together, work together, and go home together. Our Assistant Chief Leroy Mangum, was also at his best, showing his leadership and also keeping us calm so we would stay safe. The rest of the crew Private Eddie Crawford, and Private Ronnie Lawhorn, I love you guys. I always feel like Iam rambling when I talk about 9/11 so I gave the abbreviated version. GOD BLESS AMERICA NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Has anyone life not changed because of 9/11??? I really realized how much in life everyone takes for granite!! Live life to the fullest and make sure you follow your dreams. God Bless America NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I believe that everything about 9/11 should be remembered. Especially the unity afterwards. America will never be the same. American pride can get nothing but stronger. 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. There is so much more meaning to the stripes and the stars. 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 nmah5507.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. 2003-04-28 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 63.168.177.150 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 watching the events on television from my home in Alabama. My husband, an Air Force officer was on temporary duty at Fort Eustis, Virginia. He called to let me know that he was sent home from the post. There was a fear that other government sites might be attacked. So, until all the planes were grounded, it was safer for everyone to go home. The next day when we talked on the phone I told him that I wanted to go to Washington, DC. He had been there many times to attend meetings at the Pentagon, but the children and I hadn't. I said that I wanted to go see our national treasures because we can no longer take them for granted. They may not be there forever. In the summer of 2002 we took our children and our German exchange student to DC and to New York. We found it disturbing that tourist were treating the WTC site as a photo op. There was a couple with their young children there who asked someone to take their picture in front of the site with them smiling as if they were standing in front of the Grand Canyon. We couldn't see the makeshift memorial because vendors selling pictures of the burning buildings, trinkets with pictures of the buildings, and even hot dogs were standing in the way. My teenage daughter said that she never wanted to return to the site. I still feel anger when I think of the people making money off this tragedy by selling cheap junk with images of the WTC on it. I have been to Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. Neither were the circus that New York was that day. I hope we can find a better way to remember the victims. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Since 9/11/2001, I returned to school to get a Master of Political Science degree. I am now working for the US Army in doctrine development. I applied for many jobs with the US military. I want to help fight terorrism in any way I can. I am more resolved to serve my country than ever. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Not just the victims, but their families, too. There have been many children left without a parent because of these attacks. I think the tribute today involving the children was a beautiful way to remind us not only of those that were lost, but that there is a part of them left 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? We have always flown the flag because we are a military family. I am even more proud of the flag and what it represents. 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 nmah6195.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. 64.12.96.39 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 Yonkers, NY. Well my day started as usual. Got up, got my 7year old ready for school & then drove off to her school. I work in White Plains, NY I always take the Cross County Parkway to the Hutchinson River Parkway. I remember when I was on the Cross County and looking up at the sky & thinking how beautiful it looked, it was so clear & a beautiful blue. It was such a nice day I had my window rolled down. Once I reached the Hutch the traffic was backed up. I was listen to 103.5 KTU when suddenly it just went out so I switched over to Z100 but I didn't like the song playing so I turned onto 1010 Wins, they were in the middle of the traffic report when they interrupted and said they had a caller on the line stating that a plane crashed into one of the towers. The caller said everything in her apartment was shaking & then she looked out her window & saw a plane flying low & tilted to the left. She later heard a boom & then headed up to her roof top & was shocked to see a gaping hole in the tower & she can clearly see fire bellowing out of the huge hole. The announcer kept asking her if she was certain that it was a plane. It seemed he did not believe her but then some of his collegues called & stated the same thing. I felt horrible for the people in the plane & in the Tower & I just kept wondering how such an accident could have happened? Once I reached the employee parking lot that's when they announced that a second plane hit, I instantly knew there is NO way this was an accident. I walked quickly into the building punched in & went straight to the cafeteria. We always have CNN Headline knews on, there were several people already glued to the TV. They showed a live shot & it was hard to believe what I was seeing. I stayed for a few minutes more to find out what's going on but for some reason CNN Headline news were not showing much footage, people were yelling at the TV & trying to change to another channel but I guess CNN were trying to get the story straight before airing anything. So I decided to go down to my desk & everyone was talking about it. We later found out about the Pentegon and the Plane in PA. One of our reservation agents ran down to tell us one of the Towers collapsed. Even though I heard what she said it did not sink in & I just kept working & I called my husband, I had a very difficult time getting through when I finally did I told him to turn the TV on I didn't tell him why but when He did he said "Oh my God what the hell happened!" I told him what I knew but to call me back if he found out anything else. The office that I work in does not have internet & the area we are at we can't get a radio working so we basically depended on anyone who was coming back from the cafeteria. The reservation agent came back down to tell us about the second tower collapsing. I definately felt scared not knowing what more would happen. I was afraid that they would try to crash another plane at the power plant, Indian Point. I left work a little before 5pm I figured the highways might be crazy with everyone trying to get home to their loved ones so I took the back roads back to Yonkers. Then I got on the NYS thruway southbound, there's one point on this thruway that you are able to see the Empire State Building clearly. When I reached that point that Tuesday, all I could see was just thick black smoke from the very last building that collapsed. That's when it sunk in, that's when it dawned on my the hundreds of people who lost their lives that Tuesday. Even after talking about it at work, watching the TV & seeing the news footage it was like my brain was not registering it even when the Reservations agent came down twice to tell us the towers collapsed it was like my brain was not registering what was happening until I could not see the Empire State Building from that black smoke. This is absolutely horrible, i know that wishing someone dead is a sin but I cannot help but hope that they capture Bin Laden and torture him, make him suffer. Killing him instanly would not be satisfying to me i want to see him suffer, I want to see him cry and scream and beg for mercy. I know this is horrible but it's also horrible for a child to grow up without their Mommy or Daddy and for a child not yet born to never meet his/her Daddy. Thank you for your time, I feel a little better after saying what I really felt. My prayers go out to the families of all the victims and to those who witnessed everything. (Since that day when I look at the clear blue sky, my stomach gets upset.) God Bless America!!! NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Spend more time with my family & friends. I've been trying to express my feelings more, I'm very shy but I'm trying not to be, show people I do care about that they are a very important part of my life. I've always tried to let everyone know I care but I think it's time to make sure that I appreciate them all. I think I'm more paranoid right after 9/11 I could not sleep each time I heard a plane flying by or if I see a plane flying low. I'm watching everyone around me. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? We should not forget those lost on that awful day, we should cherish their lives. I was so touched to see how Americans from across this country stopped their lives and came to NYC to help. My family & I went to a memorial service in Yonkers and an American Red Cross Worker gave each of my daughters a stuffed animal. Attached to each one was a drawing by a child, we don't know the children's name but it was so sweet. It was just amazing to see how americans across this nation "UNITED" no one was looking at skin color it was just amazing. It was so heartwarming. At the one year anniversary, my family & I were at the corner of West/Vesey...every single person I made eye contact with smiled back. It was amazing, there was no hatred, no racial tension, everyone was there for the same reasons. Our love for this country & our sorrow for those lost. I know I know I kind of got off the subject but it's what I wanted to say. 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 it did before it was just "the flag" of the country I live in. Now it represents the country I love, the country who gives me the freed of speech, religion, etc. The country that my children will grow in without fear of being a girl, without fear of having a good education, freedom of expressing their feelings, wearing what they want, having the freedom to do even the smallest thing like showing her face & being proud of who she is, freedom to vote, etc etc etc. I think after 9/11 many people's eyes have opened and they have realized how fortunate we are to live in this great 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 nmah5321.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. 2002-12-04 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.188.214.143 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I witnessed history being made during my second period class. My teacher had the radio playing which I thought was very strange because he usually was up tight about things like that, and that's when i heard what was happening. A plane crashed into the New York twin towers. I was very shocked and i still dont believe what happened. When i walked into my second period class my teacher looked like he was about to cry. None of us knew what was happening. No one knew that history was changing and being made. During third period they made annoucements and the teachers informed us about what was happening. I didnt know what to think or what to do, but i just thought about how this will change everything and everyone. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has been changed due to the tragedy of September 11 in many ways. I have learned to appreciate life in new ways and to be thankful that I did not lose anyone close to me that day. My heart goes out to the families and friends that did lose people close to them on that awful day. I also feel for the people that died in the Twin Towers, I can only imagine what their last moments were like. They must have been horrified and shocked. I still dont believe that someone could have done such an awful and horrible thing. I also feel for the people that were in the planes, they knew that bad people hijacked their air plane and they knew they were going to die. I think some of them were more mad that they could not warn people that they were coming and to try and save other people's lives knowing that theirs were going to end. Also my heart goes out to the firefighters that ran into the buildings when everyone else was running out. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that the people that were killed should be remembered, and the firefighters. Also I think that we should remember that we are Americans and we should be thankful that we are still alive and well. This is a terrible thing that happened, but it is great that we have come together as a nation to comfort one another and be who we are. Just like the newspaper and television say "WE WILL NEVER FORGET." 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 flew the American flag and we flew it proudly. My feelings about the American flag have not really changed. I still feel proud to fly the American flag and I think that America as a nation should embrace everything in a new propestive and be thankful for everything that we have. 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 nmah3328.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. 209.7.46.106 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 just getting out of bed (California time) to put my older daughter in carpool. My husband came in to say a plane had hit the World Trade Center in NY. I immediately assumed it was an accident, and said how awful. I decided not to turn on the TV as I knew it would be on the news and didn't want my 3 year old to see it. When I took my daughter to pre-school, there was a sign up that said: Today we are cancelling school. You are invited to just stay with your child. It's a time for us to be together. This was my first inkling that this was more than a freak accident. We stayed at the preschool till almost lunch time. The parents at the preschool talked in hushed whispers and shared what information was known. We all had the urge to protect our children from this horrific event for as long as possible. I called in to work and heard that the University would be closing soon, so not to bother coming in at all. On the way home, my daughter said bad guys bumped a building with an airplane and now there was a fire. Could we go see it. I said the firefighters were helping to put it out and we would need to stay out of the way, and let them do their job to help people. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I talk to my siblings more by phone and instant message. I am fearful of flying. Every time I see an airplane in the air, I think about September 11th. Every time I wait in an airport security line, I think about September 11th. I worry about my children more, and what kind of world they will inherit/inhabit. I try to do more good deeds to make up for the badness in our world. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? How senseless the act was (except to the perpetrators). How we could feel so strongly that this was evil, and the hijackers probably went to their deaths certain they had done the right thing (in their minds) and would go immediately to heaven. How odd this is to have these two extremes in perspective. How the American people had a security and arrogance that was shattered. How real people with no ax to grind, no political Machiavellian motives got pulled in to an innocent loss of their lives, and how far reaching it is. Not only did they lose their lives, but the loss extends to their families and friends, the kids who will grow up without them. What messages those motherless and fatherless children will take into their adulthood about intimate relationships without a role model. 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 hung a flag from the tree in our front yard. It stayed up day and night for the next 3-4 weeks. My feelings have changed, in that seeing the flag makes me think about September 11th and remember. I guess I'm more 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 nmah4164.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. 130.166.17.65 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was at work in the American Express Tower, 3 World Financial Center, 20th Floor when I heard the first plane hit. The sound to me was like a crane falling off the top of the world trade center. I was in an office that faced North; I looked out the window and saw people running in the streets. My boss said "this is bad". I walked down the hallway to a colleagues office. People were saying that a plane hit the Trade Center. My heart began to race, my brother John worked at the trade center, for Cantor Fitzgerald. I wasn't sure which floor he was on but I knew it was over 100. I looked out of the window and saw a huge fire ball in front of me just where I thought he would be. I screamed and cryed his name. Everyone was trying to calm me down, they said it was a comuter flight and that we were okay. They did not realize who was there. I ran back to my office and dialed his number -- beep beep beep, I dialed his home number, answering machince, I dialed my sister Catherine -- "what floor is John on?" "A plane hit the World Trade Center!" She did not know, she screamed. I called my father, he had CNN on -- "What floor is John on?" I dont know! While I was on the phone with my Dad, he lives in Rhode Island, he had CNN on. He saw the other plane before I heard it. He just said oh my god oh my god. Smash! The window in my office went woop woop woop and I dropped the phone, I thought the window was going to buckle in. I was terrified, I told anyone between me and the fire exit to evacuate immediately. The security team was still saying to stay put. I ran down 20 flights of stairs crying, screaming. Those around me tried to comfort me. I was filled with a horrible sense of guilt fleeing down the stairs knowing he was in the inferno. When I reached the lobby my boss was behind the security desk at 3 WFC conferring with the haed of Security for Lehman Brothers. I went behind the desk to tell her I was leaving and to encourage her to flee. In the confusion I left through the Winter Garden which had alraedy been evacuated. The hair on my arms stood up as I realized I was in immediate danger. I ran outside toward the water. I remmeber that unlike other emergencies, where everyone had been running to the water together, everyone was frozen, facing me as I came out of the building. Why weren't they running? What were they looking at? Thump! I heard it. I turned around and saw people falling from the sky, on fire. Not just one person, One after another. Was that John? Was I here at the this moment to witness this? My feet kept moving even as my mind disassociated from my emotions. I was desperate to reach my son, age four. We had moved to a new home a week earlier and he was with a new babysitter. My husband was in California Onto the ferry to Hoboken. No trains, chaos, crying, people pouring into the station. I met up with two co-workers who lived in the same area as me and we boarded the first train available. Passengers came streaming on. I had an email device. I emailed my dad -- I am okay I am on a train in Hoboken. He emailed me -- they heard from John, he was alive after the first plane hit! I guy from Solomon Brothers had been on the phone with him! He said he was getting out of there! Someone on the train was getting news from e-mail -- A plane hit the pentagon! Other planes are hijacked! A plane crahsed in Pennsyvania! The tower came down!!! What tower? Which Tower? Please which tower? The SOUTH! Oh my GOd John run run !!! Please hurry John! During the last bombing he had been in the tower. It had taken him 2 1/2 hours to make it down. He had carried an elderly woman the entire way. I pleaded with him in my mind to race out. The other Tower just fell! Oh my GOD! How Long since the plane? How Long? 90 minutes! SHIT! I knew. I had known before I left my office. He was dead. I got to my stop and got into my car and drove to my house. I did not know one person in the town. The phone rang, my husband. The phone rang, my sister. The phone rang, my co-worker, the phone rang, the phone rang. CNN blaring, boxes all over the house. The north tower had fallen on 3 WFC. Did I have a job? I went to the computer and starting emailing Cantor Fitzgerald, the NY hospitals, anyone that I could think of. Had anyone above 100 escaped? Was he walking home? Was he in the cold rubble? The phone rang, Cantor Fitzgerald emergency center, the Essex Hotel tommorrow morning. Not a hospital, not an emergency room, coffee and cake. Families crying balling. Had anyone above 100 made it out? No. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, sadness, terror and anger have entered my life. I am filled with thoughts of rage and revenge tempered by attempts to remember the goodness that my brother embodied. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? John Thomas Mcerlean should be remembered. He did nothing to deserve this. He was a wonderful person who deserved to be with his children and the family he adored. I do not understand what was accomplished by these henous acts. 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 an American Flag. I have always loved the Flag, now more than ever. 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 nmah5317.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. 2002-11-30 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.12.96.45 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 working at Y-12 Nuclear Plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee when this tragedy took place. I remember it was a beautiful day and it seemed just like any other. Then an instant message came throughout out building..."a plane had it one of the World Trade Center buildings". I couldn't believe it! A coworker then came to my office and shared her disbelief about the "accident". The first thing I said was "this was no accident..no commercial plane could have accidentally come that close to one of those buildings." Then in a matter of minutes, the other plane hit. The shock was shared throughout our work areas and from our families and friends. We left early that day. I spent hours/days watching everything on television and listening to the radio in my car. I drove home among other Americans shining their headlights in the middle of the day to show support and share our grief for the employees and families of the WTC. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. We are a very powerful country and there are many people who don't like us. We have become too complacent and should first, and foremost, protect our own. We cannot assume everyone is here because they want to share what is good about this country. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? We should remember why it occured and teach our young people not to become complacent in the future. 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 always fly an American flag off and on during the year. My patriotic feelings about our flag and what it stands for was, and is, still the same. 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 nmah6508.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. 2004-04-25 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 68.84.86.240 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 first informed of the terrorist attacks to our nation as I was sitting in my second hour science class on the morning of September 11th, 2001. After science, I went to my English class where we were able to watch the news coverage of the attacks to learn more about the situation. I was deeply hurt by how cruel the people responsible for the attacks could be. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has not changed too drastically after 9/11, but the one thing that has changed is that I now feel compelled to tell the people I care about how I feel about them. I wouldn't want to lose the people I love most, especially if they were unaware of my feelings for them. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that the bravery of the firefighters and police officers should always be remembered. If they had not been so brave, many more lives could have been lost. I believe that many Americans owe their lives to these people, and I have a great deal of respect for our heroes. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? My family has always been patriotic, and we have always flown the American flag in our backyard. We continued to fly our flag with pride after the events of September 11th. I think that a lot of people are now showing a lot more respect for the flag and what it stands for. I think they also understand how much it inspires and touches people who were involved in wars in the past. 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 nmah1252.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. 152.163.189.67