41 20 2325 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that when people remember 9/11 they think of all of the people that died trying to escape from the burning buildings, but when I think of 9/11 that is not the only thing that I think of. I like to think of all of the heros that stayed and helped those who needed it. They did not stay because they were getting paid overtime or because it would look good on a reseme or future job application. They stayed because they were needed. I have no idea what the firemen were thinking when they saw two huge buildings on fire and everybody trying to run out, that made them want to run in. In my mind the only thing that they could of been thinking was there's more people in there and they need my help. Some people say that they died doing their duty, but I disagree, they died because they went above and beyond the call of duty. If they had been in the military many could have recieved the Congressional Medal Of Honor. I think that the people of the USA need to think of all of those people that died as a result of this act of terrorism, when they think of our men and women that are in the Mid East right now fighting for all of us back home, instead of protesting the war and calling our soilders murderers. 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 nmah6168.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. 209.79.69.225 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. During the month of August 2001, I had been visiting colleges in Philadelphia, PA. On the drive down, I purposely made my parents pass through New York so I could view the skyline. Something about the size, the majesty, and the magnificence makes my heart jump. New York was, is, and always will be my most favorite place in the world. On that Tuesday morning, school went on as usual. Classes started at 8:30, same faces, same joy, beautiful weather. Between my first and second classes, 9:25-9:30, my best friend's boyfriend came to our lockers as usual and he said, "Did you guys hear about the planes crashing in New York?" We of course said no. He is a jokester by nature and I thought that this one was over the top. When I entered my second period class, anatomy, my favorite class, a couple of the girls were crying. We all sat down in our seats and the teacher asked why some of the people in the room were crying. On girl, a friend of mine from middle school told the rest of the class wht she had seen on television. Two planes had crashed into the Twin Towers. The same towers I love, and had just seen days before with my own eyes. My heart sank to the bottom of my feet. I wanted to scream, I wanted to cry, I wanted to go to the window and stare into the endless sky in hope that God would tell me it was all not true. Soon after that, the administrators of the school were walking around the school entering each class and asking teachers and students to remain calm and they would receive more notice in a minute. The principal came over the loudspeaker, obvious that he was choking on his own shock. He said, we were to go on with the da and we were going to remain in school for the rest of the day. He said, we were safer and more organized at the school. I felt like i was in a movie. I thought to myself, "This doesn't happen. This is scene from a war movie, a fiction." My next period was a free, i could go wherever in the school. I went to the library, hooked up the TV, and turned on channel 10, NBC. Tom Brokaw appeared on the screen and then the screen cut to the two smoking towers. My knees buckled and i fell in front of the TV. At that moment, the first tower came crashing to the ground. A tear rolled down my face, then another, and another. Never one second was my face away from that screen. A group of people saw I had the television on and rushed in. There were gasps and oh-my-god's. As we all know now, the second tower came crashing down about 15-20 minutes later. We were just bombarded with horror. We learned next that another plane ha crashed in Washington. My first thought was of the White House. I heard a few minutes after that, that the Pentagon had been hit and that another plane had crashed in rural west Pennsylvania. People talk about the 5th of June, 1968, the day RFK was assassinated as the day America died. I say no. We can now say without a doubt that September 11th, 2001 was the day the United States had its knees knocked out, its ego trampled, and its heart blown to pieces. However, not even the death of 3000 of our fellow Americans, not the destruction of two of the tallest buildings in the world, not the defamation of the greatest city in the world could possibly harm the core natural law of our nation, .... Freedom. 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? The major thing that should be remembered about September 11th is heroism. Hundreds of fireman, police officers, port authority personel were killed. They willingly went into the crippled buildings, knowing that people needed help and the buildings may fall. The massive amounts that were saved felt blessed to have the NYPD and FDNY, and those still inside had a little hope that they were coming. That's what it is all about, a simple series of events. Chaos, Danger, Tragedy, Heroism, Perseverence. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I have always had a flag flying. 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 nmah109.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. 2002-08-02 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.163.188.163 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 Cliffwood Beach, NJ. It is a district of Old Bridge Township, which lost residents that day. I am ashamed to say I was asleep, but in one of those half-in/half-out states. I had slept late that morning because I did not have classes until later that afternoon at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft and would not for the rest of the day. The first words I remember hearing from CNN (the reporters name escapes me at the moment) was something to the extent that "the World Trade Center was on fire as a result of some accident. I then literally shot out of my bed and upstairs to my mother who was already on the phone to my dad who was in the city that day with his job. Thankfully, instead of being in Manhattan, he never made it to the city because of a meeting. I sat in front of the TV for about and hour and a half until I decided to call work to see if they needed help. I work for an A&P by me and they get busy when it rains out so I figured they might be a little busy. They did not know. When I told my friend behind the desk what had happened, she gasped and told everyone around her. I told her I would keep calling with more news. Several times, I could not get through because the phones were jammed. For the next hour of so, I watched the second plane strike the other tower, reports, then pictures of the Pentagon on fire, the panic of people in Washington, DC, as the threat of another plane was en route to the area. Finally, my mother decided it best to go get some food in case things got worse. When I got to where I work, radios were on all over the place. It was eerily quite - for the time being. A few of my co-workers were outside crying on cell phones. One friend of mine, Joann Z., was trying to get to her son who was attending NYU. She could not get through to him at the time, but did later in the day. He was fine, but was evacuated from his dorm. He was coming home for a few days and she did not care. We had had five people call out that day. Three were stuck at school (at college - the same one I go to) when they stopped the trains and buses. One was in the city - in Brooklyn visiting family. The other just did not want to come in because she was afraid. We did not care. We were too. I was walking past the seafood department talking to Rose when we heard on the radio she had the tower coming down. The reporter simply said "my god." There was then about 10, maybe 15 seconds of silence followed by the reporter saying that one of the towers collapsed. At first, he was saying the top floors collapsed - which would have been more feasible. However, he got confirmation about the whole tower. That is when I decided it was time to head home. After checking out my groceries and agreeing to come in three hours early, I left. Out in the parking lot, two Army helicopters and three F-14 fighter jets hauling ass towards New York City greeted me. I have two military facilities near me - a Navy base and an Army base. They were closed off so tight, not even a bird could fly over. It was amazing and scary. I live about 25 minutes from IFF - International Flavor and Fragrances - and heard that they closed both plants and evacuated surrounding residents "just in case." When I got home, I began to see the smoke from the towers. Where I live in New Jersey, I am about an hour from the city and if I go to the nearby beach, I could see the city - and used to be able to see the towers. I could see the smoke lining the sky and bellowing up into the sky. As I sat down at my house, I watched the other tower go down. It was then, after everything was in chaos and the FAA closed the airspace, my mother sent me to pick up my sister at school. When I got to my old high school, there were kids crying in the hallways. The township released a voluntary pick-up for all parents but they would not release the students until the end of the day because they knew there would be no one home. It took me twenty minutes and all my will to keep from screaming at them to find out where she was. She was in gym - thankfully - and I knew the teacher. She was cool with it and let us leave. On the way back, I took the Route 35 - which, if you know it, runs parallel and is wide open to the Raritan Bay facing the city. A column of smoke, now double in size because the other tower had gone down was riding the sky south. When we got home, I told my mom and sister that I was going to work and probably would not be home until late. I did not get home until 1 a.m. I work a 14-hour day that day when I was only scheduled for five. While I was on register helping the people that came streaming in suddenly, I heard the sounds of freedom flying over. I never got a chance to see, but the cart boy came running in and told us the President just flew over the Presidential helicopter flanked by four army jets. During that night, some of the front-end employees helped in other departments because their employees called out too. I helped in produce take down the salad bar. While I was doing that, the Star Ledger delivery truck dropped off fifty copies of an extra edition. As far as I know, the first extra edition of the day, or evening. The ominous headline in the capital bold print stated: "AMERICA ATTACKED." I began to tear up and immediately grabbed two copies which I still have. They never made it to the morning because the employees bought most and some customers bought some too. Earlier in that night, when the President spoke, I put it over the loud speaker for everyone to hear. It was inspiring and made me proud to be an American. When I got home, all the news channels were still on. ABC and UPN finally came back on the air, but were barely there. Their transmissions were stopped when the tower on top of the Center was destroyed. I was amazed that the BBC stayed on the air. I could not sleep. At 3:30 a.m., Fox News decided to give their people a break and switched to a British morning news program. It was about 10 a.m. there so the day was well on its way to being bad for them now. They had reporters live in New York and Washington. It was just an amazing day. I cried for the first time in a long while that night. Watching all the news programs with all their pictures just got to me. When I see others crying, I do to. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes. I am more vigilant of my surroundings now. I am a bookkeeper now at the A&P and we are a Western Union agent. I am always suspicious about any large transfer or a customer who buys odd items - charcoal, lighter fluid, and bleach... stuff like that. I have a greater respect of New Yorkers. My family is a firefighting family. My grandfather and father were firefighters and I plan to be one day. On that day, we lost a family friend who was FDNY fire police. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Everything. The towers, the businesses, the people, the firefighters, the police, the Port Authority, the EMTs, the rescue workers, the construction people who helped pull victims and, unfortunately, bodies from the rubble. I think the towers should be rebuilt. Alls it will take is some redevelopment in the area and BINGO - taller towers. I have no fear that another attack will occur. If terrorists are smart - and we all know there not to attack the United States - they will not try what they did again unless they want their home county turned into a lake or a parking lot. 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 and its been flying ever since. I have had to replace it twice because of it. I have flags on my car, at work, in my room, on my schoolbooks. They are everywhere. My feelings about the American flag will never change. It should be worshiped just a much as the Bible or even the Koran. It is a symbol of freedom that will never leave the face of this planet. I feel that the world will learn to accept us just as our other "enemies" (Great Britain, Japan, Russia, Mexico, N. and South Korea) have and they have become good friends and allies. 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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, everything was the same as usual. I took my shower and headed to school. When I opened the door, all the kids were laughing and teasing each other. It was just an ordinary day. Everyone had a smile on their faces and talking about their social life. The plane crash was the last thing wed ever expect… A few minutes before I went to gym, my teacher was trying to call someone…she didnt look too happy. I couldnt figure it out. Then one of my friends told me that there was a plane crash in New York. I thought to myself, A plane crash…ok? These things happen all the time. Whats with these horrified looks on your faces? I went to gym and I didnt want to play. So I sat on the bleachers outside with some of my friends. Some people talked about the crash. I told myself, Whats the big deal about this? Plane crashes all the time. After gym, when I was walking down the hallways, nothing seemed normal. It all felt like a dream. Some people were worried, some were scared, some were confused and others just didnt know. I went to Graphics class, we all sat down quietly and listened to the radio. Everyone took this situation seriously. I am hard of hearing and I have an interpreter. She was interpreting the guy on the radio. When I saw these exact words, Terrorists were in a plane with other passengers and flew into the twin towers on PURPOSE…one hour later, another one hit the second tower. I remember I was so shocked to see that. No one told me it was on purpose. Also the guy on the radio said that we might be going to war. I had this feeling like the world was over. I was so surprised that happened. We were never attacked before. I was watching TV, the twin towers were falling down, and it was heartbreaking. I also saw some pins or something, with the picture of the twin towers, the date and an America Flag. Its sad to see that, because on TV and pictures the twin towers are there, but in reality, its gone…forever. All I know is, we never felt safe after that. I dont think we ever will. This is probably something that we have to carry with us for the rest of our lives. 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 nmah2970.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. 66.31.139.14 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I saw the events on TV. I was in class. Another teacher asked if she could speak to my teacher. After they were done, my teacher came in the room and turned on the TV. One of the towers were already hit. Shortly afterwards, the other tower was hit. After about an hour passed, the towers crumbled. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life changed drastically. Before September 11, I knew everyone had to die sometime. September 11 made me realize that it can be sooner than one thinks. This tragedy also helped me to try to be as nice to people as I can. Overall, I think that this tragic event has made me a better person, unfortunately at the cost of many honest peoples' lives. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think everyone should remember the brave people in the planes that knew they were going to crash and fought the hijackers so other people wouldn't get hurt. The firefighters, policemen, and volunteers that risked their lives, some of them losing their life, to save anyone they could. I also think that something that should be remembered is God. He saw this coming. Why do you think the buildings weren't as full as they usually were? Why do you think the planes weren't as full as they would have been because of last minute cancellations? Why were most of the people saved? The answer to all these questions is God. 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 an American Flag after 9-11.I now see the flag as more than just some fabric flapping in the wind. I see the flag as a symbol of freedom, of unity, of victory. The flag is more than red, white, and blue. At's for the people fighting the terrorists and freedom, the heroes that lost their lives trying to save one more life, the nation pulling together. The flag isn't a peice of fabric, it's who we are. It's symbolic of who what we are. The flag is more than just a flag. It's 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 nmah4467.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. 206.82.16.34 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was sitting in my office at work when my mother called me and said a plane had crashed into WTC. At the same time a co-worker came quickly in my office and reinforced the event happened. My first thoughts were, as I entered the conference room where our tv is, "I hope it was an accident." but that hope was shortly demolished when the second plane hit. I saw it live on tv with my co-workers. It was without a doubt the most shocking day of my life. We didn't know what to do, it was chaotic. Should we try to work, should we go home, do we stand there and watch tv, what do we do? The horror had us all in it's grip and we all sat in shock watching the rest of the events unfold. The information from the news stations was so sketchy and all over the map that I decided to see if my brother-in-law in England was getting any better news from BBC. We conversed in ICQ over the internet for a while as I ran back and forth from the conference room to my office 2 doors away. The transcripts of that day are attached at the end of this for archive recording purposes as an unedited live conversation (some language). The scariest part for us was that the doomed Shanksville plane flew (probably) right above us as we are in NE Ohio, and from the maps of that flight it looks exactly over top of where we are. We heard jet fighters roar overhead in an apparent attempt at getting to that plane. Knowing that plane could have gone down at any moment made us potential targets and it was a horrifying thought. No one I know can even remotely come close to the level of witness that those in New York, DC or PA had, and frankly nor would we want it. But it was enough that we felt that the whole of the USA was involved. No one knew where those planes were going. The one thing I did know was WHO caused this. As a pretty politically aware person I guess it right before it was even mentioned on tv. Here is the transcript from my ICQ conversation with my brother-in-law in England. There is some indelicate language but I am sure a lot worse was said that day. It also shows how confusing the incoming information was for us. Some news we received was accurate and some was false speculation but at the time it was what happened. (Names have been initialized for privacy) D. is myself and J. is my brother-in-law. D#2 is my husband and E. is my stepdaughter in England. <<TRANSCRIPT>> 9:36am from J.: Do you know much about these 2 plane crashes? 10:17am from J.: I am shocked ... totally shocked ... 12:21am from D.: J you still here? 10:23am from D.: 4 plane attacks now. Two at the World Trade Center, one at the Pentagon and one at our Supreme Court. Every airport is on lock-down being evacuated. We are completely stunned. The horror is unbelievable. This will trigger a war. This day will be avenged in full force military action. This is worse than Pear Harbor. They are systematically trying to kill our financial center, military and governmental authorities. 10:24am from J.: I know ... fuck sake ... also a Washington Mall was hit by a commercial airliner :-( 10:27am from J.: Keep me updated with info. 10:29am from D.: We are just sitting here watching the tv in shock. We can't even move. It's like we're waiting for another attack - where and when... I can tell you that people on top of the WTC before it collapse started to jump to their death instead of burn alive. Bodies were falling from the sky. 10:30am from D.: I will as we find out. Is the BBC getting all of this right? I hope so because it is absolutely devastating beyond all comprehension. I saw the second plane crash into the building live. This is so traumatic. 10:30am from J.: I know ... I am shocked too :-( 10:31am from D.: Is the UK on alert at all for being an ally of ours? 10:32am from J.: I would think so ... I would also think that it is islamic extremists once again ... but its been extremely well put together to cause this much devestation :-( 10:33am from D.: It's fucking Osama Bin Ladin. It has to be. Afganistan will end up being nuked for sure. 10:35am from J.: Well if it is ... you can guarantee that the Russians will be getting involved ... 10:37am from J.: Just heard there is another hijacked plane flying to Washington. That'll be shot down before it gets there. 10:40am from D.: A third plane just took out the remaining twin tower. It's completely gone now. 10:41am from J.: There's another plane on the way to LA. 10:41am from D.: By the way, I can't even get into any news sites the net is so overwhelmed here. You are the only one so far I can talk to. 10:41am from J.: what??? 10:41am from J.: I can only review headlines at http://www.aheadnews.com 10:42am from J.: That was unconfirmed ... but LA is on full alert too ... 10:43am from D.: It's being reported here too now what you said. Your news is on-line with our news. Those people in those planes are already dead and don't even know it yet. I'm shaking so hard I can hardly type. 10:45am from J.: Me too ... there is another plane on the way to DC ... that's 2 hijacked planes on way to DC. 10:46am from D.: We are at war Jamie. There is no other altnerative. Thank you for the website for the news. Other than tv we can't get any sites on-line. 10:47am from D.: That PA plane was 80 mile SE of Pittsburgh - where you landed the first time. 10:47am from J.: I have just heard that ... 10:48am from D.: What the fuck are we going to do???????? 10:48am from D.: I hope E. isn't hearing this. 10:51am from J.: I would assume that the military are stretched ... so I would believe they will take out all planes known to be hijacked before they reach the destination. 10:52am from J.: London Stock Exchange has been evacuated + many american offices have been closed ... bank of america closed ... 10:52am from D.: Troops at the Pentagon are dead. Don't know how many. 10:52am from D.: D. (my husband) is going to phone E. (his daughter in England) in an hour and a half. 10:53am from J.: Where is D(#2).? 10:53am from D.: Do you think the UN Security Council is shitting bricks? 10:53am from D.: He's at work on the phone now. 10:53am from J.: I should think so ... 10:53am from J.: Is he okay? 10:53am from D.: Tell Mum he's OK please? 10:54am from D.: Jinx. Yes just in shock too. 10:54am from J.: Okay. 80% of the internet is down due to this. 10:54am from D.: Which is why I can only talk with you and see that site. 10:55am from D.: I will try to keep this access open as long as I can OK. If anything happens we will call you when we can. Your number is 44.2390.***.*** correct? 10:57am from J.: Okay ... Mum didn't know anything about it. She's on the phone now. 10:59am from J.: Financial districts in many Cities are also being evacuated. 11:03am from D.: We just moved our big American Flag from inside at work to by the side of the road outside and have patio blocks holding it down. Every car passing that hill will see it. If we can't do anything but support our country in symbolism, we can at least do that. 11:04am from J.: Yes ... thats a good idea. 11:11am from J.: Who had the capability to carry out this kind of attack? 11:16am from D.: Sorry - was gone. All airports in Canada are shut down now. We have an employee there than will have to see if he can drive home - but doubt it. The only person with the power and money to get this done is Osama Bin Ladin. And his boys tried to take out the WTC years ago and they're in prison. He's trying to prove he can do anything. And he is succeeding to a huge degree. 11:17am from D.: We think the plane that went down near Pittsburgh was hijacked from there and headed for Washington. We believe our gov't had to shoot it down. 11:18am from J.: Yes, that's been the reports here too ... so its looking like Afghanistan will be targeted. 11:19am from D.: Seems the US will own ourselves a desert. 11:21am from D.: A plane at Cleveland Hopkins is surrounded - don't know if it's been hijacked or there is bomb on it. We don't know what will happen to it. It has been diverted to another place at the airport. Also. - one of the other hijacked planes was going over Toledo airspace and the controllers heard screaming inside. That might be the one going to LA. 11:30am from D.: More info on the plane at Pittsburgh. It was instead actually a Chicago plane bound for Cleveland and hijacked toward DC. Another explosion but I can't see where -n the newscasters are freaking out so bad it's chaotic news. Also, a bomb by the WTC in a high school which had already been evacuated. It hasn't gone off yet. 11:32am from J.: Another explosion? 11:48am from J.: Any other news? 11:53am from J.: I am going home now ... I'll speak to you later. 11:55am from D.: I know you're not there anymore. Sorry - will call later. <<END TRANSCRIPT>> NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Absolutely. I pay even more attention to politics, to what other countries' leaders do and say, and I avoid malls at peek times. At first I wouldn't even go out in public, even to a large grocery store. I do pay more attention to the strangers around me and watch for suspicious activity. Emotionally I was wounded, but my patriotism soared. The first month I did suffer from depression, insomnia, and when I could sleep - nightmares. My husband had to finally order me to not watch the news because it only made it worse. Week by week I gradually came out of the shock, but the horror of that day and my own resolve to never forget continue to exist with every minute of the day. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I do not think that an edited version of the day be the remembrance. Every person from here on out should see video footage in it's entirety no matter how traumatic or graphic. It's the only way to get the emotion of the day years from now. Children should see it when they are old enough to cope with it, so it lives on through them. Our children will have to deal with more of these people, and the only way they can grasp the magnitude of the day and be prepared is to see it for what it was. 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? Our company put it's flag out that morning. It's an indoor flag on a base so we had to weigh it down with patio block by the road. We took it in each night and back out each morning for several weeks. At home I put one on my front door. My car has a magnetic one, and I have a "dog tag" hanging from my rear view mirror that has the flag on one side, and the other is plain metal engraved with the date. I intend to keep the dog tags but on Sept. 12 I will remove the others - my year of mourning will be over. It doesn't mean my pride is gone or my patriotism is gone, but it is a symbolic gesture, and if the flags are out all the time, the power will be lost if we need to use it in solidarity sometime else down the line. 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 nmah200.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. 12.87.129.75 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 Septemberf 11th I was woken up by my mother saying that the twin towers have been hit by a plane. Well I was half asleep so i basically told my mom ton leave me alone untiln i woke up for school. Then when i acctually woke up a little later i went out into the front room and i remember looking at my mom who was watching the news and seeing her face as white as a gost. Then i remember running into my boyfriends room and waking him up and then he got up and we all gathered around and watchedn as the seconed plane hit the other tower. We all sat there in silence not saying a word just holding each other and i new that from that point on my life would never be the same. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes my life has changed since then because i have really good friends that live in New York and i am really worried about there safety then and now. Also i new right away that we were going to start war and i have family in the millitary and close friends and they ended uip[ goiong over there but thank god that i did not loose any of them most of them have returned home but not all so my prayers will always be with them and everybody else who has family and friends over there. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? How many brave people we have that risked there life for others and that we all come together for support and as one for our nation. Also that we will grow from this experience and become a strongerf nation as one. 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 flag after September 11th but no it has not changed my feelings about it because it stood for the same thing 20 years ago like it does now and even farther back. 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 nmah6256.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. 2003-09-12 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 207.163.117.20 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. I experienced September 11th as an elementary school teacher in lower Manhattan. My classroom is directly facing Greenwich St. which provided a direct line of sight to the towers. At the very beginning, I found myself in the street with hundreds of others, trying to make sense of what was happening. As the second plane hit and the buildings collapsed, my attention focused on evacuating students and connecting them with thier parents. I wound up being stuck in Manhattan until the next day... NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Since the 11th, I have become much more aware of how vulnerable we are. I have become more involved with and informed about world events, politics, and policy. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Although many have focused on the evil acts committed on the 11th, we can all benefit from trying to focus on the acts of heroism and bravery that occured on that day; many of which will never be known to 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 flown the flag since the 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 nmah386.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-22 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.193.32.173 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was getting ready for school when i hear my mom turned on the news for me to see what was going on. I was shocked. It looked like a movie for me but then i realized that the situation was really happening. I was frozen on the spot, could not move and did not get ready for school. 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? I think all the heroic firefighters and police should be remembered for their actions on that day. But also for the people who gave up their spot on elevators and those who tried to help injured people but could not make it alive. Also for the passengers who tried to take back the plane. Those people are my heros and will 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? 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 nmah6802.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. 4.26.113.241 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I heard from a friend NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. yes but I think life should go on 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 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 nmah1143.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. I was running an errand for a teacher when I heard the news. The classroom I was going to had the radio on and was listening to the broadcast. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes; I am more patriotic. I am less sarcastic with people. I expect the best from people, and, unfortunately, I also expect the worst. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The heroes and the rebuilding. 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 to both. 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 nmah5086.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. 2002-09-17 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 67.203.87.53 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I did not have to work until 1pm on Tuesday, Sept 11th so I was enjoying a very relaxing morning at home in Rensselaer, NY just outside of Albany, the capital city of New York State. I had just made myself a bowl of cereal and climbed back into bed, still in my pajamas, while turning on the radio at about 9am. I had just gotten comfortable listening to music, enjoying my breakfast and thinking about what other enjoyable thing I could do this beautiful, sunny morning. Should I take a bath? Read a book on my porch? I was also thinking of my boyfriend, Tony, (now fiance) who was closing on his house this morning at 9am. I was clearly wrapped up in my own little world of happiness and security. Then, the radio dj informed the listeners that there was a fire inside of the World Trade Center. There was some kind of explosion and she encouraged listeners to turn on the television. I could tell by the shakiness of her voice that I should turn on the tv. So, I went into my living room and saw billowing smoke coming from the Tower. I kept changing stations trying to get information about what happened. There was talk of a bomb, there was a rumor that an airplane had hit the building. I could not take my eyes off of the scenes on tv. As pieces of the building broke away, I kept thinking - wait - there must be people inside - they need to evacuate - what is happening? How will they get the people out? How long has this fire been burning? Did they close the building before the workers got there? Are there people inside? How will they get out? I was in shock when the second plane hit the second tower. How could it fall down like that? Now there would be only half of a tower standing. I never even thought the other one would come down too. I couldn't believe what I was seeing - clearly this was terrorism. We were being attacked. Was the capital city of New York also going to be attacked? When I saw a person jump from one of the burning towers, I covered my mouth and I screamed. I was in emotional agony watching this happen. I felt so helpless. Americans were dying. I didn't know what to do. How could I help? People needed help. What else was going to happen? Were there other targets? I called Tony and found that he did indeed close on the house. I tried to be happy for him - I didn't even know if he had heard the news. He said, yes, he did. I congratulated him on the closing but my mind was on the tragedy. I wish I was near him so I could give him a hug. I needed a hug. He wanted info on what was happening. I told him about the plane crash in PA but they thought it was unrelated. We were very concerned about the Pentagon - Tony's brother worked in Washington, D.C. How close was his building to the Pentagon - we didn't know. Tony finally heard from his brother - he was okay. Time was flying by and I called work. Major tourist spots were closing down and evacuating - Disneyworld, sports arenas were cancelling games, etc. Albany Medical Center was asking patients with routine and outpatient surgery to reschedule. They were getting their surgeons ready to take victims from the NYC area. Tony's workplace was sending everyone home. I had to go into work at a retail furniture store. I got ready and went to work, listening to NPR and then watched tv all day at work with my co-workers. There was a rescue effort in place - everyone kept waiting for them to find survivors. Everyone was prepared - ambulances, emergency personnel - just waiting for patients. My friend was on route to NYC to help as he was called from the National Guard. I knew they would find someone. Days went by not giving up hope. I watched reports on the NYC news channel with the governor and mayor every night - they would report how many body parts and how many bodies they would find. Then, they stopped announcing how many body parts. There was a big need for welders, ice, containers for ice (for the body parts) and water. They stopped asking citizens to stop donating blood for the time being and stop donating items - they had enough. It was the saddest event I had ever witnessed. The faces of grief, of disillusion. Flags were flying everywhere. Flags were sold out - flag makers couldn't keep up with the manufacturing of them. Work was difficult as no one was shopping, no sales. Many of my customers were affected either personally or financially so they put off their intent to make a purchase. It hurt me hard as I am on commission sales. The top months are Sept, Oct and Nov. No one could think about buying furniture and I don't blame them. By December, I had to take a part time job to make ends meet so I could buy a few Christmas presents and visit my family. Today, September 11, 2002, I have the day off. I went shopping for items for my upcoming wedding this November 2nd. I felt I had to show my support of the American economy. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes. I appreciate the fact that I have customers now. In the past, I took for granted that people would always walk in the door and want to buy something. Oh, and I am engaged to be married soon. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Never get wrapped up in your own little world of happiness and security. The American people are guilty of taking our freedom for granted. 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 wore a flag pin and sometimes a red, white and blue ribbon. I will buy a nice flag soon. 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 nmah3905.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. 24.194.70.33 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 teach 7th grade science. The teacher in the room next came in and told me that her husband had just call. A plane hit the WTC in New York. It was the end of my second hour class. I turned on the television. NBC was on . Katie and Matt were talking about the "plane crash"...then, the second plane hit. My hurt sank. I was 9 1/2 months pregnant. When I saw the towers fell, all I could think of was "Please God, don't let my baby be born today!" The rest of the day was painful. How can I bring another child into this world? What was next? NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Everyday...I thank God. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? As a country...I would like us to remember that we are fortunate to have are basic needs met. We have the luxury of living in this wonderful place, and that we shouldn't "impose" are beliefs on the rest of the world. We should take the opportunity to unite with others, and show them that we are generous, kind, and grateful people. We are one nation...one world...one color...one race... What can we do to change the image of the USA? What can we do to show the world the compassion that 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? Our flag flew before September 11, and continues to fly today. My heart hurts when I see the flag...part of me is proud, but part of me is sad that so many people in the world "hate" 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 nmah3011.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. 67.233.29.89 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 librarian, and Tuesday is always one of my work days. The phone rang before we opened for the day and my branch manager answered it. I could tell she was talking to her sister, and I could tell whatever had happened was not good. I assumed it was something within their family. When she got off the phone, Lynn said, "Someone flew a plane into the World Trade Center in New York." It seemed like such a ridiculous statement. First we turned on the radio and listened to NPR. I'm a visual person, so I needed to see pictures. Lynn didn't want to see any TV - she knew it would be too graphic for her. The first pictures I saw were being broadcast as the first tower fell. That image will remain burnt into my mind as long as I have a memory. Most of the rest of the day, with reports coming in from Washington and Pennsylvania and false alarms, runs into a blur until school let out. I work primarily with middle school and high school students. I called the school across the street from the library to see what, if anything, their students had been told. Many of those kids come into the library right after school. All they knew was that there had been plane crashes into tall buildings in New York City. When they came in after school, I sat in the meeting room with any of them who wanted to talk, or to watch the TV news. Most only wanted to know where the planes had crashed. A third grader thought it must have happened here in Fort Wayne to one of the skyscrapers downtown. Those were the only tall buildings he had ever seen. Within the next days we put up a display of books dealing with terrorism, coping with trauma, New York City, Washington, Islam. Perhaps the most commented upon and checked out books were the ones on Islam. Most patrons said something to the effect of: "Thank you for letting me hear from Muslims in their own words. I needed to know they don't all believe in acts of violence." 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? We need to remember that America is, as we so often hear politicians say, a great nation. But greatness must also be tempered with humility. That I think is what we too often forget. The evil that plotted the attacks on our country was planned by people who thought we needed to be taught a lesson, to be brought down a notch. If that was their goal, they failed miserably. In the months since September 11th, the jingoistic boosterism emmanating from the United States has only gotten louder and more incessant. Those who feed off of sterotyping people they perceive as different have had a field day with immigrants, Muslims and others. Many of these actions seem to have been taken in the name of homeland defense. These are not the actions of a nation that wears its greatness with humbleness. These are the actions of a nation that is feeding off of fear. When we remember those who died on September 11th, it should be to remember that they were people who came from many places in the world, American and immigrant alike. All were vulnerable and all are equally gone. Yes, America should fight back against those wantonly kill. But that fighting back should not come as an automatic suspicion of those whose religion or ethnicity, on the surface resemble those of the terrorists. When we give into that kind of kneejerk profiling we give the terrorists a little more of what they want. They want us to suffer. They want us to feel loss of freedom to travel, to speak out, to feel secure within our borders. When we treat our fellow Americans with contempt and fear, based on outer appearances, the terrorists win a little more. The victims of September 11th showed us clearly how diverse our nation is. The days following the 11th showed how strong we can be when we come together as Americans. In those days we were angered, stunned, ready to fight back, if only we could find the enemy, compassionate toward others, and yes, humbled to realize that we were not immune to terrorism after all. Instead of building on that, we came out swinging, not caring who we hit or who we hurt. It is not an atypical American response, but it is not our country at its best either. Perhaps this first anniversary can serve to remind us of a better way to respond, to show, as Abraham Lincoln once said, "Our better angels." 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 hung our flag on our front porch on the 12th. It has been there ever since. I do feel a pride in seeing Old Glory. I've also been revulsed at the way the printed copies of the flag have become a marketing tool to be hung on the window of every business, usually paired with the phrase "God Bless America." In the days immediately following the attacks, that seemed an appropriate response. As the months have rolled on, it has become gimmicky and cliche-ish. I am saddened when I see the flag used that way, it cheapens everything that happened on the 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 nmah1450.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. 65.238.32.82 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 had just came out of my roomand started walking into the kitchen. I heard the tv on so i went in the living room and saw the twim towers on tv... on fire. People were running and jumpings out of windows. The building was collapsing. I thought it was a movie until i heard a news reporter. I didn't know what to say. I was just amazed by what was happeneing. All i could think about is all those poor people. Also "why" why, did this have to happen? The whole time i was getting ready for school i was listening and watching everything on how our countrie was changing so quickly. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes my life has changed since september 11. A few weeks after the trgic event i started feeling taht i wasn't safe in ameica anymore. After a few months i got over that. Also september 11 has changed my life becuase i see life as a different way like i feel proud to live in america, and also i am more patreotic. Also it seems it had to take a bad event to make epople care more about america. Before 9-11 most people didn;t have flags on there cars or signs in their windows or flags from their house. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that most people should remmeber everything that happened. Years from now this is going to be a big event in history. One of the msot important things that should be remmebered is all the strong and brave firefighters that risked their lives to save someone elses. I thin kthat one of the best things about america, is people will alwayz help other people that are in need. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, i did fly an american flag after 9-11. Yes my feelings have changed about the american flag. I used to just think of the falg as ajust an american symbolm and now i think of the flag as a remmeberance of spetember 11. Also it means freedom. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah4818.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. 65.102.3.92 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, and we huddled around the internet and listened to the radio. Most of us had only been at work for less than an hour at the time it happened. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I am a single mom, full time student and employed full-time. I have been in banking for six years and was a management major. I was very unhappy doing what I was doing and seeing very little of my then eight-year old son. For months after the bombing, I felt like I was sleep-walking. After a spiritual re-awakening. I decided to buy the home I have always wanted to give my son, refocus on my walk with Christ and change my college major back to my original English and Communications major and minor. Since then , I have becaome more patriotic and have just been hired for a great job at our state museum. I will have a lot more free time with my son. That is all that is really important to me now. Life is just too short. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The time that we, as American's, banded together and developed a stronghold for our nation. Since the attacks, I think many people have resorted back to their old behavior's. I see so much selfishness. It is so sad. I think we need constant reminding of September 11 and the things we accomplished in the days afterward as a nation together. 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 lived in an apartment at the time so could not. But we sported red, white and blue on clothing, bracelets, every chance we could for months after. I think the American flag should always be displayed through our actions, more than anything. It is like being a living example of patriotism. As a Christian, it is my job to let Christ show in my actions so I am a witness for Him. As an American, it is my job to let my patriotism show through my actions so I am a witness for America. 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 nmah94.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. 2002-07-26 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.131.199.186 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I witnessed the history of September 11th during school with teachers and friends. Then I witnessed the rest at home watching the television with my family. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, because I no longer look at an airplane with a child like interest. I now am reminded of the tragic events, and wonder if we are still safe. But I have a God who provides love, protection, and comfort. I live my life the same, but with a realization that life is short. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember that life is short, and we should live each day as if it were our last. We should realize the importance of our firemen, police, and military forces. We should pray for their protection and the protection of our country daily. And remember that we are blessed because we were not in those buildings that day, and God has an amazing plan for all of 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? 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 nmah5114.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-18 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 205.143.139.37 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. Life was safe and good in Louisiana.....we were far away from the terrorist's strikes. I am a Paramedic who was currently working in the Dispatch Center of a Private Ambulance Service in Pineville, Louisiana. My Husband, Mike, is a Firefighter and a Medflight Paramedic. Mike was only 1 mile away from me, working at the Fire Department. A fellow off-duty employee drove to our dispatch center and calmly walked in and said, " Hey, did you see?? New York is being attacked." I switched the TV to the news. It was at this moment that the second plane hit the Tower. I called my husband to tell him to watch. My mom is a principal of a middle school in Alexandria. I became her voice, eyes and ears for the school as the news unfolded. One of her teachers' daughter worked at the Pentagon. Mom had to break the news to her. It took two days to find her daughter, alive. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My husband has been truly devastated, for he has lost brothers that he never knew. I now cringe every time he is called out to a fire, no matter how big or small. I have wondered why we were called to these jobs, why are we STILL at these jobs?? It is that one moment of saving some family's loved one, that is the reason. We are truly patriots. We are raising kids to respect and love this country that defends our rights to freedom and freedom of choice. And yes, we are raising them to believe in God. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Many have stated that God turned his back on us. I find this horribly untrue. I think of those four planes that should have had several hundreds of people on them. I heard a spokesperson state this, " God reached everyone but these few...how else do you reason that there were so few people on these flights?" I know that God was busy holding up the beams on those two towers to allow more people to escape. I truly believe that even God was overwhelmed by all these 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? An American Flag should be flown everywhere at all times. If you care not about this Country, please leave. For it is this Flag and everything that it symbolizes that has made you free. Thousands of lives, over many centuries, have been given to keep this flag flying. Terrorism did not begin on September 11, 2001. Heroism began and Patriotism was reborn. 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 nmah4412.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-12 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.163.189.198 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. My name is Michele Okamoto. I am a trauma nurse who had just moved to Battery Park, a few blocks from the WTC, a couple of weeks prior to the terrorist attacks. This is the email I sent after 9/11. Dear Family and Friends, Today I finally have the opportunity to write and share with all of you who care so much, my own small story of involvement in a tragedy which affected us all. The week started normally. On Sunday, Jennifer (daughter) arrived at the PATH station (under-the Hudson-river-train) from visiting Kyle (son) at college in Hoboken, right across from the WTC. Jerry (husband) and I strolled up to the World Trade Center area along the water, and through the Winter Gardens, a giant atrium with palm trees. We made our usual comments about missing Hawaii, grateful for these reminders of our former home. I ate a Krispy Creme donut; we bought books and some items at the drug store. There was a free ballet program in one of the squares. We enjoyed the art, the pretty people and the hint of fall in the air. The WTC is a big part of daily life, whether for shopping, eating at the falafel stand across Liberty, catching the subway or buying something special to cook for dinner nearby at the Amish Market (we always smile at the name, as all the workers are fresh off the boat from God knows where- not from Pennsylvania!) The next day, Monday, I awoke with a very bad headache, and so decided not to go to the WTC to catch the PATH train to get the papers out of the Kyle's car, which I needed to register. I could go on Tuesday. I did put my birth certificate, SS card and marriage license into my purse to use as ID for the DMV registration, since in getting my temporary NY driver's license, my Hawaii one was taken. (They came in handy in the days to follow.) I commented to the woman that I would now be without photo ID. She replied with a smile, "Just don't fly anywhere for a couple weeks." Decided to put up the pictures on the wall, to make our apartment feel more like home. Tuesday morning, Jerry went to work in Midtown, and Jennifer to her 5th day at her new school in Clinton (formerly Hell's Kitchen). Both areas around 2+ miles away from what I call the blast site. I was in the shower, and didn't hear or feel the first strike. On emerging, the phone rang. It was my dear friend Cathy from California, warning me in horror. I turned on the TV and became frantic with shock and fear. I was getting dressed in a hurry when it felt as though something crashed into our building. I found myself screaming "I'm scared, I'm scared, what's happening!" I ran into the living room and saw the second tower aflame on TV. (My windows face the river to the west, the WTC is due north, about five or six blocks). I grabbed my keys and camera off the desk and hurried down the nine stories to the lobby. Jack, our calm and kind doorman, was on the phone, and allowing refugees fleeing from the WTC and surrounding areas into the building to get out of the smoke and ash (at least that's what it looked like). I took a picture of the burning tower (south tower, the second one hit) from the sidewalk. I witnessed a touching reunion of a woman whose husband escaped from the blast area (her newborn's tiny body completely enclosed in a tummy pack). It got smokier and dimmer. I went inside, and huddled with others in uncertainty. A tall, well-dressed woman, the intricate woven braids of her hair highlighted with a light dusting of ash, sat by me on the steps. I suddenly got over my paralysis and invited her to come up and use the phone with me; thinking the air would be clearer than the lobby, with people and smoke streaming in. (And I did not want to be alone.) We climbed up the nine flights, reaching the top and gasping for breath. Entering my apartment, I was dismayed to realize that I had forgotten that Jennifer sleeps with her bedroom window wide open. Smoke filled the rooms, and a powder coated everything. My mother, Jerry and Kyle called. Kyle yelled to go to the ferry and get out, as he had an incredible view of the conflagration from his dorm on the riverside. (I found out later that Jerry had to forcefully convince Kyle not to try to get to our area to rescue me.) I told my mom and Jerry that I had to get out now, as it was hard to breathe. The woman used the phone while I grabbed all Jerry's bandanas and handkerchiefs, wetting them in a bundle, and put bottles of water into my purse. The cable was out. Just as we were leaving, a terrible and ominous rumbling sound began. I could feel the sort of internal vibration I felt as a kid when planes took off on the aircraft carrier we visited. We clutched each other's forearms and squealed in fear; words like "Is it planes, what is it, what's going on?" Night seemed to roll in. We ran down the nine flights again, the power still blessedly on, but entered an alien place of darkness, smoke and debris. No one knew what had just happened. Even inside, the air was choking. I walked out of the building, breathing through Jerry's favorite red bandana that he has had since college. The world began to gray a bit, thank god. It was silent, I think. A figure appeared by me, a young business man. He gratefully accepted a handkerchief. I said, "I'm a little scared, do you mind if I walk with you?" We comforted each other and expressed our disbelief. We got to the archway where they had a salse concert last week. I saw two apparent maintenance workers with masks on. I asked if they had any more, and they gave us each one. Grit and smoke made our eyes hurt and burn. Nothing could help that. I did put my sunglasses on; it made it even darker, but provided some relief. We arrived at a large crowd gathering by the railing on the river. I handed out the last of the handkerchiefs I had, including one to a woman with asthma, scared but breathing OK. A young man asked if I had anymore. I replied, "Only the one I used, do you want it?" He did. I saw some people hustling a group of unnaturally quiet preschooler's into the building behind this group. I assisted, but did little more than hold the door. I walked back toward the rail group, when I saw through the pall of ash and smoke a small, low ferry butted up against the waist-high railing! It was nearly full, mainly with the able-bodied able to climb the railing. I stood up on a park bench and called for crowd control volunteers, to allow people with medical problems and children to board. I said something like "Do we want to be like the cowards who took the children's places in the life boats on the Titanic?" Dumb analogy, but some people in front moved aside, and my woman with asthma was brought forward, as were a very elderly couple. I wanted to send someone for the kids, but had to watch with a sickened heart as the ferry began to pull away, four or five men in business suits jumping off the railing onto its deck as it debarked in silence. Those were the only acts I saw that day that were other than selfless. I heard the mournful call of the Staten Island Ferry, but could not see it through the gloom. Quite a number of people calmly asked my advice on what to do. I said, "You could try the ferry to Staten Island, go to South Ferry, or walk across the bridge to Brooklyn." Only a couple of people left. The group was very quiet and calm. Faces were blank. But the wind was beginning to shift the debris to the southeast towards Wall Street. The sounds of sirens began to return, growing more insistent. I had no idea where the nearest hospital or medical setup was, but I knew how to find one. I walked up to an ash coated ambulance emerging south on West Highway (straight down from the WTC, but all was invisible through the smoke) out of the devastation. I walked up to them to ask my question. They yelled something like "Get out of here, the second tower is going." They turned east. I followed on foot, no one else in sight for that short way. My sandaled feet looked strange puffing through the gray powder coating everything and everyone. My shallow, rapid breaths rasped straight up into my burning eyes through the ill-fitting mask. I walked along the road between Battery Park and Wall Street. It was lined with what looked like hundreds of emergency vehicles. (I later found out that when the first tower crashed down many such vehicles were crushed. The remainder evacuated to a safer distance, hoping to be available to remove survivors.) I followed the line to the Staten Island Ferry station. Medical supplies were being unloaded from NYFD trucks, SUVs and from ambulances. I told a fire department paramedic that seemed to be in charge that I was a trauma nurse who'd just moved to Battery Park City, and would like to help. He said, "Help us set up. Hundreds of our brother firemen and police are ......(he paused for a moment) …the tower collapsed on them." I, stunned, braced myself against the pain. Then I got to work. Taking some comfort from something familiar to do, my heart slowed to a normal rate. On the job now, I prayed I could help. At the top of a long ramp, on the second story, there was a huge room filled with heavy oak benches. We brought the supplies up, moved the benches and set up what basically amounted to a triage/staging area. I, along with a Dr. Mark Heath, looking remarkable with his coating of debris, filthy scrubs and calm demeanor (a cardio thoracic anesthetist from Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, whose video has made him famous) mainly set up the "critical" area. I believe I was the only nurse there. Patients would be tagged red, yellow or green by the paramedics, and sent to the appropriate area for treatment and further medical evaluation, stabilized and then transported to area hospitals- worst first. The worst patient we saw was a probable pelvic fracture. He seemed a bit confused, but was difficult to evaluate due to language barriers. He screamed and flailed his arms whenever we tried to get him to release his briefcase. I believe they tagged him with a yellow, along with one exert ional chest pain/shortness of breath ( now pain-free) who had to run down twenty-four flights with a pacemaker rate set at only seventy-five. I think all the other patients were "greens," mainly fractured extremities, sprains, minor smoke inhalation and glass cuts (backs and feet mostly). I did not pay any attention to much of that, since, in reality, there were so many doctors; I guess it is more natural for a physician to give orders to a nurse than to a paramedic, as there is an ease and rhythm to it with which we are all familiar. I just passed them along, as I only have two hands. There were quite a few people coming in for what I call "a place to be." They stayed out of the way and were quite calm, at least on the outside. We saw maybe forty to fifty, but there were that many trained personnel at least. Bellevue Hospital even sent a team of doctors over to us. We sent them away. Overall, I felt of little real use. As the hours went by, the reality of there being so few survivors after the first tower collapse was dawning on us. We had no television, and were inundated by rumors regarding planes being shot down, a thousand survivors in the parking garage, etc. We saw no dramatic pictures like all of you did. But we knew instinctively that few patients was the worst sort of sign. The doctors and I discussed this in hushed tones as time went on. We did not speak of our suspicions of the worst to the fire department or police personnel. The police (including the hard hit Port Authority officers), firemen, EMTs and paramedics began to use this as a rest and recovery station. Their stories were astounding, such as diving under a truck as a fireball "rolled over our heads." They would come into the room shouting out for colleagues..."Did John make it...." One female FD paramedic lost her rig when eight ambulances were crushed. She looked noble and calm to me. A medic named Larry told me she was there as the bodies plunged down. She and others saw things that will haunt their nights for the rest of their lives I was treated so kindly by all the rescue personnel, introduced around as the nurse from Hawaii that just moved here. A few half-hearted jokes about welcome to New York. Many told me their stories of the day, seeming to need to talk. One of the paramedics (or EMT, I am not sure), was from Queen's ER. Charles; tall, slim, young haole guy. He recognized me right off. Small world. The rescue workers seemed amazed by the coincidence, and told newcomers about it. Anything was a welcome distraction from a disaster that altered lives too fast, too profoundly, too soon to take in. Around 3:30 p.m., I think, I fought an overwhelming desire to "go home." I felt the tears of the day, staved off, now threatening. I did not want any of these brave people to see me cry like a baby. I said good-bye, grabbed a box of masks, and left with Dr. Glenn Fennelly, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist who lived a block or two closer than I to the WTC. (He had been a little nervous when we were first setting up, as he had not worked with acute adults for ages. I reassured him, and vowed to myself to give him an extra hand if the need arose. It never did.) We walked to his building first, through what seemed to be an alternate universe or a post-nuclear Armageddon, sharing our shock and disbelief with each other. No stories did we have of death or death-defying feats for us, just two people whose homes have become inhabitable. Two people walking through "ash" nearly a foot deep in places. Papers littering every inch of the roads. Lost communications from departed souls. We came upon police officers using their burly forearms to knock debris off nearly buried vehicles. We gave out masks to the other few wanderers. It appeared that a strangely altered snowstorm had struck out of season. In front of Glenn's building, police were arresting a looter. The doctor could not get into his place. We went to my apartment. The doorman was there and gave us a weak flashlight to use to climb up in the pitch-black stairwell. He said to hurry, as the National Guard was coming in to get control of the area and enforce the evacuation. We used the phone, surprised that it worked (the area did not lose service until building number seven was lost). I gave Glenn a clean shirt, grabbed a change of clothes for my family and realized there was no water at all to wash the ash off my aching, filthy feet. I dunked them in the toilet, dried them on the rug and put on my sneakers. I said farewell to my new friend, and took off through the altered, lunar landscape alone. I was turned away along the river, north of my apartment, just too close to the WTC. I could see water arcing up out of the river onto the fires. I walked back to the Staten Island Ferry staging area to get another box of masks to hand out, and began a long trek through the Wall Street area. I said a few words to some reporters in the flat, unemotional tone I use when dealing with a bad situation at work. All feelings buried, to be felt later. But inside I was lonely, sick at heart and so tired that I felt that every step to be an arduous task, when a kind young man with some type of middle-eastern name (I wish I could remember) in dress slacks and shoes, and a debris-covered T-shirt, came along and helped me with my bag, which kept hanging up on the ash and papers blown from the trade center. It felt so good to be with another person while walking through that littered, strange Wall Street I barely recognized. There were many police, a few doormen/security types, and weary firemen resting in doorways from their labors. We later saw a fight between newsmen for position, truckloads of men in hardhats bearing shovels like ancient warriors with lances, a huge gathering of policemen near City Hall, and medical personnel standing and waiting outside NYU Downtown Hospital We told the stories of the day. He had been across the street from the WTC on Liberty, on his way to work at Deutsche Bank, when the first plane hit. He helped a burned woman who was not serious enough to get an ambulance ride in the initial chaos. Only criticals were being transported. He took her into a place on that street, helped her wash her back, and gave her his clean dress shirt. When they came out, the south tower began to collapse. A fireman got them behind his vehicle (I think it was in the Liberty St. fire station). They made it out OK. He eventually got her on a ferry to Brooklyn. We stayed together, walking for miles, it seemed. Grabbed a subway at 14th St., I believe. He got off at Penn Station. In midtown (finally) I looked about in amazement at the clean people. Every person I had seen the whole day, including myself, was coated with the powdered remnants of destruction. I made my way to Grand Central Station. (The hotel Jerry set us up with is by there, a lovely old place on Madison Avenue, full of New York class.) Police surrounded Grand Central, as it was considered a possible target. I still worried about the statue of Liberty. I was so glad to see Jerry and Jennifer when I arrived at the hotel around 7:30pm. Both were exhausted in different ways. Jerry had six employees missing and presumed dead, and had helped coordinate efforts to restore emergency phone service to lower Manhattan. He arranged for places to house his displaced workers, and to bring in the families of the missing. After showering at the hotel, I turned on the TV and was stunned at the sights. At the bottom of the screen there was a statement that St. Clare's Hospital was looking for volunteers, overwhelmed by the overflows from St. Vincent's. I dressed, got a cab, and headed over. They put me on a list, saying they thought they would need me in the a.m. for the "second wave" of casualties (presumably pulled from the rubble). I said nothing, went back to the hotel and knew in my heart that I would not be needed. That night I tossed and turned, too tired and sore to sleep. I eventually lightly dozed, awakening to every strange sound, preternaturally alert. I listened for planes. I worried about Jennifer, starting a new life in New York, attending a new school in senior year, and now this disaster. I tried to put away the thoughts of innocent people being herded into the backs of planes; being sent to an ignominious death, like sheep to the slaughter. I tried to force myself not to think of suffering, choking and burning people. I tried not to see the day. Wednesday was a lost day. We needed clothes, so I went to Macy's, wandering aimlessly, unable to make decisions. I couldn't eat. My eyes and legs were sore. Tears sprang to my eyes at odd times. Thursday I woke up feeling the need to go home. I had been unable to get all we needed, including Jerry's medicine and our cell phone chargers. I nibbled at breakfast, and then took a subway for a few blocks. The city was still mostly deserted, few businesses open. I got as close as I could, made my way on foot along the gauntlet of police roadblocks. I eventually found an officer who allowed me through. I think he liked nurses. I walked through China town and finally got to Wall Street. The two inch coating of gray powder had been partly turned into slurries of wet concrete by the clean-up underway. The streets everywhere were filled with activity. Fire, Police, FBI, Hazmat, gas, electric and phone trucks…. I was amazed at the rapidity of the mobilization of resources and manpower. I was proud of New York, working to rebuild as the smoke still rose in the sky. Upon reaching Old Battery Park, (below our apartment area) I was taken aback by the masses of National Guard troops, all armed. They were young and serious, some smiled kindly. Attack dogs, rather than poodles and chihuahuas, raised their legs against tree trunks. I had to show my identification about every fifty feet. It took about a half hour for me to go the hundred yards past the green. I was escorted to my building, thrilled to find the maintenance man camped out inside. I went up to our place, took the full twenty minutes I was allowed, and chose items carefully. It was very heartening. I walked back to the nearest operating subway. My journey had taken six hours. Friday the president came and the city was comforted. Fighter jets soared overhead. It felt safer. Saturday we were officially allowed to return to our apartments for the first time. We traveled as a family. Jennifer was especially happy to get her favorite teddy bear and other small, girlish things from her room. The food had rotted in the refrigerator. The smell was bad in the building, though the maintenance man assured us that he had removed things like meat from the freezer. They told us that it will be a minimum of another week until we can go back home, though more likely longer. Today is Monday. We moved out of our hotel into a one bedroom suite with a kitchen, two bathrooms, and a sleeper sofa in the living room, near Penn Station. I finally got to do some laundry and to finish this long email to those I care about. The most touching thing about the move was my cabbie. He was a Pakistani who shared his horror that someone who professed to believe in god could do such a thing. I told him of my September 11th experiences. He insisted on returning the tip to me, stating, "No, no, you helped people." I hope people in the rest of America don't forget about the horror of the attack on the Pentagon and the WTC. Though not dead or injured, we have been impacted severely by this atrocity. My family was scared for us, my children burdened. This was our home, and the World Trade Center a big part of our lives and our pleasures, the centerpiece of the neighborhood. I hate that we will have to continue for at least eleven more months to pay a staggering sum to live with the daily reminder of mass murder scarring the land. As a woman, I feel there is something so personal about being driven from your home. I feel a bit selfish, as I did not suffer anywhere remotely as much as those who lost loved ones and friends, or who burned and died. But, still, I am mad as hell. Well, mad is a better way to be right now. Got to run. I think of all of you, and am grateful for your caring calls and emails. You are a part of the fabric of our lives that give comfort and support. Thanks. Love, Michele NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Maybe I stop and smell the roses more. I believe more; in God, in country, in people's innate goodness. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I wrote a poem several months late that I think is appropriate. IN HEAVEN'S SIGHT As morning broke September bright, Towers gleamed in last sunlight. Then planes they flew to tear and rend A hurt so deep it cannot mend. To city great on island fair, Death came rushing through the air. Once proud, now fearsome, towers stood Burning over neighborhood. Past sundered wall and smoking stair, Calls home to those who waited there, Mothers, fathers, loved ones sighed, "I love you so" before they died. Such gallant words defied fell foe Who used our trust to hatred sow. Acts of courage, great and small Took place within the trembling walls Of towers grand in city fair, Wounded in the fall's bright air. Deeds unsung in earthly rite Shall ever shine in heaven's sight. Sirens loud did ring and call For bravery from the one to all. Men and women strong and straight, Marched up to the towers great With courage pure to dare approach, Our hearts were moved by want of hope. The fine, the brave, the city's best Then entered proud on selfless quest. A nation held collective breath As heroes sought to battle death. Burning towers above so tall, Defiant, but about to fall, Then shining steel that stood for years Did crumble into dust and tears. Vows of brotherhood, once taken, In life or death are not forsaken. Thus the mighty searched the site For months of days and longest nights, The fallen borne away to rest With honors all, as city's best. Some of them may ne'er be found, Hence this seems as hallowed ground. With noble deaths we were so gifted, By their acts our souls were lifted. Where towers stood, so fair, now riven, We grieve for all the lives so given. When eyes stray up to gaze on high To where is naught but empty sky, Seek a place where flag doth soar And remember them forevermore. Michele Okamoto Battery Park City New York, NY 5/27/02 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 patriotic pins on my nursing uniform. I live in an apartment, so I can't fly a flag. My feelings about the flag have never changed. For me it is a symbol of the freedoms we earned as a country; not without great cost. I hate it when a flag is burned, but that, too, is a symbol of our freedom. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah5427.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-02-04 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.193.51.123 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, and someone came running through the hall saying an airplane had hit the World Trade center. Of course everyone ran to the nearest T.V . The facility where I work had provided T.V's all over the building so that everyone could know what was happening. My heart sank as I sat in the cafateria watching the first building collapse. I couldn't believe what was happening. I started praying for all those people, and their families. I was so scared of what all of this meant. Was there going to be another attack? I live in Jacksonville Florida, 5 minutes from Mayport Naval station, and an hour from Nas Jax. Were all the navy bases going to be attacked? I remember feeling so sad for along time over all the people that lost their lives, and their families. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes I think my life has changed. I realized how we take life for granted. We have to make sure we are right with God everyday. Don't wait to tell your family and friends how much you love and care for them because you never know if that will be that last time you see them. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? How America came together in Prayer, and the endless giving and helping of people from all over the U.S. I think there should be a Memorial for ALL that have lost their lives in this tragety. 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 nmah436.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-26 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 129.176.151.121