58 20 2325 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I walked into Biology and one of my fellow classmates was talking about a plane that had just hit one of the Twin Towers. None of my teachers after that could really explain anything so we watched the news instead of work. The whole day up until sixth hour, the attacks hadn't sunk in and I was in shock. My sixth hour soccer coach sat us down and talked about what happened. He told us that "tonite is a night you spend with your family," he also told us that while we were outside stop and look in the sky because for the first time in history no planes were flying. That was when I became a witness to the attack. 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 the people should be remembered. The ordinary people that became a child hero. The victims. the families and the children. We should remember how the United States really became united. We should remember not to take anything for granted because in one minute it could all be taken away. We should Remember! NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, I felt like the American flag was not only a focus point to sing the Pledge of Allegiance too, but also a symbol for pride. The flag represents those Americans who survived, died, and victimized. It shows that even though aMerica was hurt it is still standing and standing strong. 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 nmah5085.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. 68.12.49.104 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. Hey my name is Jessica. On September 11, when these terrorist attacked on America, I was at Thompson High Shool in Alabaster, AL. I was in my second period English class. We were in the computer lab, and the librarian had informed us that the World Trade Center had been hit, and that America was under attack. Honsestly I didn't know what the World Trade Center really was, because I had never heard of them before! Today I know more about the World Trade Center than I did a year ago. During my classes throughout the day, I was thinking No Way, this is a joke, but then I realized, that no, it was not a joke! I got in my car, and all I heard was about America being under attack, and I got home and started crying my eyes out!!I think that the men that the men that did this to America are cowards! That they didn't cause distruction to America for the days to come, they made America unified. Today I am a year older, and I think I understand it more than what I did a year ago. I have witnessed so many people coming together in unity for our country. Today, I am a better person than what I was a year ago, beacasue I don't tend to take as many things for granted. This even has helped me spiritually and emotionally. Today, becasue of this event, our security is stronger. Well, thank you for listening to my expeirence of September 11, I greatly aprreciate it. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, this event has changed my life in some way or another. Since then, I tend not to take as many things for granted. My life has most deffinaly changed spirtually, bc you don't know when life will end. The Lord could end your life in the next second, and you wouldn't know when it was going to happen. So to me, I believe that yes it really did change my life, because I bet those people that were in the Towers, didn't know that on September 11, 2001 that they were going to loose their life. So live life, but live it through God's eyes. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The things that should be remembered about September 11th, is the heroes that helped the people. Remember the people who lost their lifes, remember the people who lost loved ones. We need to remember a lot of things from this tragety. A lot of people say that this was a deffinite tragedy, but they don't think about how this is a good thing that happened to America, because it brought America closer 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? Yes, we did fly a flag in our yard. Yes, I do think a lot differently of the flag. Everytime I see the flag of the U.S. I get tears in my eyes, because it reminds me of all the lifes that were lost on that day 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 nmah3836.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 216.109.3.68 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. it was around 6 in the morning i think and my mom came and woke me up and said that terrorist are attacking new york and i turned it on and i first though, "my god, how stupid is america?" they probably knew about this ahead if time. as i watched, i just kept thinking to myself that america is going to do something their gonna regret later like start world war 3. i then went to school, and everyone was watching it there, i just went on with normal life as if nothing happened. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. not really, i wouldnt think so, besides these stupid checkpoints in airports that only catch foreign objects 1 out of 15 times, so thats stupid NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? i think we should definatley remember that our country is not as perfect as normal americans make out to be, were just like the rest of the world, were not any more stronger or better than a "un-devloped" nation. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? no i did not fly an american flag, and i never will, if i do it will be upside down which means america is in need of help, NOT down with america, i think this flag is a material posession, nothin more Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah96.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. 2002-07-28 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.221.113.218 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 got up early the morning of Sept.11,still don't know why. I live on the west coast, so the time was very early here. I was watching local news when they broke away saying a plane had hit the WTC. We thought at first that it was a small plane that had drifted out of the flight plan. Then minutes later another plane hit the second tower. I awoke my children to come watch, called my husband on his cell, and sat and watched in horror.My neighbors and I continued to watch all day and into the night. We all had to go back to our own homes to be alone,the sorrow was overwhelming.My memory is still so vivid, it is almost as if time has stood still. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I am much closer to my family, and friends. I have become more anxious about the state of our nation and the state of the world. Most of my family lives in the midwest. I have been thinking of moving closer. You never know what may happen, and I want to be near them.I want to know my family and my neighbors again. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I would like for the people to be remembered. The diligence of the NY Police and Firefighters to find their own.The heros of flight 93, and the lives that all of these people touched. The patriotism that our great country has come to know again. We have so much to be thankful for, we just needed to find it again. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I did fly an American flag after the attacks, and still do. I am a baby boomer, and grew up with the Vietnam war. I was not what you would call patriotic. I did not trust our government, and had not since I was a child.I now belive that we have a great country, the best and would do what I can to protect it. 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 nmah4198.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.163.188.168 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I found out about this in the morning, when i got up.It came as a big shick to me to even think that someone would ever do something like that.It hurt me to think that someone would ever want to kill themselves as well as the other people that were working in the tours. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, it has made me more careful on what I am doing. It was a very sad experince, and it has made me scared to fly on an airplane. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that the fire fighter and police officers should be the most remembered for all of there hard work, and i also think that all the peeople who died should be remembered. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, I did fly a flag on September 12th the day after the terorisi.I fell more strong about the flag after the terrorisim. 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 nmah1135.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. September 11th will definitely be remember in my mind. I think that every single person will remember what they were doing and what they were thinking at that very moment. September 11th was a day that our nation pulled together as a nation. People that hadn't gone to church, began going, and communication with loved ones was greater. I remember President Bush in an address to the nation said these words, "...Our nation has been tested, and we are going to show the world that we can pass this test." I think that that is so true. Our nation may never be the same, but I believe that this all happened for a reason, and that we can all pull through this. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I feel a greater apprieciation for the firefighters in New York and just around the world as well. So many of them gave their lives. I was touched when I saw so many of the little children having lost their fathers or even mothers because of this tragedy. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I don't think that we should remember the negative things of September 11th. How so many people died, or even the hatred for the people who did this. I believe we should remember how we, the United States of America, pulled together as a nation and helped as many people as possible. 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 September 11th. My feelings toward the American flag have definitely changed. The American flag is a symbol to me now of what our country has gone through, and the unity we have aquired. 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 nmah2414.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-10 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.79.83.182 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. An Unforgettable Day A memoir by Caitlyn Meadows As I awoke on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 I never thought of my life changing. The thought of thousands of lives being lost never entered my mind. Im sure everyone in New York thought the same, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, moms and dads, probably never thought that they would never see their beloved families again. Even men who were mad at their wives while they strutted off to work at the top of the World Trade Center never knew they wouldnt have the chance to come back and fight with their wives again. One morning, the lives of every American, even me, a fifteen-year-old girl in Kentucky, were changed forever. Frankly, my life was not changed immediately, or even so much in the days that followed. I watched the reports on television mostly because there was nothing else to watch. But as I watched, I began to understand how tragic it really was. I tried to imagine what the people were feeling. Many hadnt heard from family members who had left that morning and had not come home. What would I do if a plane crashed into the middle of Versailles and I couldnt find my friends or my family? My parents were very concerned about my brother, Adam, who had joined the Marine Corps Reserve two years before. He was trained to be a Military Policeman and was immediately put on alert. He could be called at any time, even now, over a year after the devastation in New York. When my brother brings it up, I can see tears in my moms eyes. Before the invasion, I had not been aware of how different my life would have been if I had been born in Afghanistan. In America, I have always had everything I needed and school was something that I knew I had to do whether I liked it or not. I walked into stores wearing whatever I wanted, as long as my dad approved. Ive often wondered what life would be like if I lived in Afghanistan. From what Ive seen, their technology and society is really not too advanced compared to the U.S. Men and women are illiterate; men are allowed to have up to 4 or 5 wives; women arent allowed to wear make-up, and must completely cover their bodies with a thick robe, except for their eyes. Women werent allowed to learn anything they were servants to what the Taliban wanted them to. I even heard about an old man who sold an apple to a woman on the street. The Taliban found out and beat the woman and killed the old man. It makes me feel so lucky with the freedom I have. The more I think about it, the more I think about the whole terrorist attacks is based on jealousy. When I hear about people cursing Toby Keith for his cussing in his song, The Angry American, it makes me angry. I feel that he and all Americans have the right to show anger for our country. A Canadian news reporter stated, Toby Keith is acting as if hes still angry at the Afghanistan people. I feel like that is exactly correct. Time cant heal the loss of families. What happened has taken away some of our freedoms, but I dont think we are to the point that anyone can tell Toby what he can or cannot sing about. When I flew to Florida for a vacation, I felt a little nervous getting on a plane for the first time, especially since the terrorists hijacked a plane. My sister and I had to go through security. Before the attacks it would have taken 15 or 20 minutes to get through, but it took 30 to 45 minutes to get through security and onto our plane. Even though I would never carry anything aboard a plane that would hurt someone, I am glad that they are making sure no one else does, even if it takes me longer. Theyve brought our nation closer together, considering what Ive seen. The day that our nation was attacked, I remember driving home from school with my dad and saw a group of people holding up a flag and shouting something I was unable to understand. Even today, a year after the attacks, I see more and more flags in front of schools, houses, cars, etc. and think its a beautiful thing and now I can relate to the song, Im Proud to be an American. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My parents were very concerned about my brother, Adam, who had joined the Marine Corps Reserve two years before. He was trained to be a Military Policeman and was immediately put on alert. He could be called at any time, even now, over a year after the devastation in New York. When my brother brings it up, I can see tears in my moms eyes. Before the invasion, I had not been aware of how different my life would have been if I had been born in Afghanistan. In America, I have always had everything I needed and school was something that I knew I had to do whether I liked it or not. I walked into stores wearing whatever I wanted, as long as my dad approved. When I flew to Florida for a vacation, I felt a little nervous getting on a plane for the first time, especially since the terrorists hijacked a plane. My sister and I had to go through security. Before the attacks it would have taken 15 or 20 minutes to get through, but it took 30 to 45 minutes to get through security and onto our plane. Even though I would never carry anything aboard a plane that would hurt someone, I am glad that they are making sure no one else does, even if it takes me longer. Theyve brought our nation closer together, considering what Ive seen. The day that our nation was attacked, I remember driving home from school with my dad and saw a group of people holding up a flag and shouting something I was unable to understand. Even today, a year after the attacks, I see more and more flags in front of schools, houses, cars, etc. and think its a beautiful thing and now I can relate to the song, Im Proud to be an American. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The millions of lives that were changed, the fact that our country is now closer together and that September 11th is now a symbol of the day all American's lives have changed, expeically the people who live in New York. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? My feelings about the American flag haven't really changed, because even before the attacks I respected the flag, said the pledge, and was a true American. But after September 11th, the flag I think has more meaning to me. Every time I see the American flag, it reminds me of September 11th and is a symbol to it. 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 nmah5171.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. 2002-09-30 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 205.204.242.22 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 from Athens, Greece and i work in a Securities company. I was sitting at my office that terrible afternoon (it was 3.50 pm in Athens), when my phone started ringing. First it was a close friend, then my stepmother..."...you got to see what's happening, a plane rushed into a skyscraper in New york...". I was thinking they're just fooling me. I closed those phones making fun at them saying "yes right, and now let me go back to work..". In the next 5 minutes i had 1-2 more calls from friends and from my stepmother, while i decided to go to the dealing room of the company where they had a small tv set. There i saw the scene of the second plane rushing into the south tower. I was SHOCKED. I went downstairs, back to my office, telling my partners "this is WAR happening in New York" but no one paid attention at me. Minutes later an employee listening to the radio told us that the one of the two World Trade Center buildings had collapsed. Thirty minutes later i decided to leave the office and go home since i couldn't keep working with that shock and my work time was already over, i live only a few minutes away from work. I still remember myself running to home and often recall that when i pass by the same road. It must be only 2 minutes after i opened my tv set while the North Tower started to collapse live in front of my eyes. I will never forget that scene. 4 days after, i bought an american newspaper. there i saw the first pictures of some victims. it was the first time i was looking at pictures of people who lost their life in the towers. i was deeply touched to actually see the human beyond this tragedy. untill then all ive seen was the buildings collapse, but no human stories, nothing at all. one of those pictures. i decided to search information about one of those people in the internet and i found many things. the more i was getting to know about that persons life the more i was feeling the need to find a way to honor his memory. i found his brothers email and i got in touch with him. i expressed my deep sorrow about their loss and i also decided to put up a small tribute web page in his memory. that persons name is Richard Cudina and im really proud that i know about him, even after his tragic loss in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. i am really proud i have the chance to be in contact with his family by email, and share some of their pain. i know that i will honor his memory for as long as im here so he will never be forgotten. my personal tribute web page to Richard Cudina is: http://www.geocities.com/forrichardsmemory/ some time ago i had the chance to visit the ground zero in New York. visiting the nearby St.Pauls chapell i saw in my surprise Richards missing report right in the middle on the memorial. it felt just like Richard was there in a way welcoming me in New York. i will never forget it. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. my life has changed in a way that i feel the need to share the other peoples pain. this was a world tragedy and those families are not alone in this. we are all together in one world and now i feel i also lost someone in the towers. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? everything shall be remembered for many reasons. 1.what happened. because it should never let happen again 2.the victims. innocent people of all rages. it could happen to anybody. those shall never be forgotten 3.who did it. must be found and punished in justice 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 dont believe my feelings about american flag have changed. patriotism is good to raise spirits, but always used with care. 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 nmah5598.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-08-14 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 195.134.69.138 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 on the West Side Highway, driving to work. I had come out of the Battery Tunnel and got caught at the light like I had done countless times before. Just a week to ten days before they had opened up the West Side Highway, removing the final barriers that had been in place since the first attack against the WTC. It was a pleasure to drive. In between the Battery Tunnel and the first pedestrian crossover closest to the WTC, DOT had installed another light. So while waiting for the Battery Tunnel light to change, I held my foot on the clutch without taking my car out of gear.<br> I took a sip of coffee and I took a pull on my cigarette. The light changed and I gunned it to beat the newly installed light. I got caught on the light neat the parking lot and the pedestrian crossover closest to the WTC.<br> When the light changed, I started snaking my way through traffic. In between the twins is a hotel where cabs shoot into traffic so cars avoid the far right lane. I take this lane because it moves faster than the others. As I got nearer the hotel, the ground shook and then I heard an explosion. I checked my rearview to see if it was a gas main explosion and I thought the street behind me was getting chewed up. I wanted to be out of the line. Suddenly debris started falling on my car. I knew something above me had blown out. I started to get the hell out of there.<br> I got a few blocks away North of the towers when all the emergency vehicles were coming at me on my side of the WSH. I knew I would have to ditch the car if I was ever going to get to work, so I started looking for some place to ditch. I saw a small garage about a block east of the WSH but to get there I would have to go up a one way street the wrong way. I figured that it was better to be out of the way, so I turned on the block and coasted into the garage.<br> The sign said Early Bird Special 12.00 but I know New York. Whenever you have to get your car off the street because of some sort of emergency, nothing cost what it says. I asked the guy how much and he said 50.00. I ripped a 50.00 in half and told him he'd get the other half when I got the car. I removed my ignition key from my ring and left it in the car.<br> I walked back to the WSH. I looked toward the WTC and saw the smoke billowing from one of the twins. I saw the second plane, but did not give it too much thought other than I thought it was low. I never thought about it going the wrong way up the Hudson. You grow accustom to seeing planes over the Hudson so you tend to pay them no mind. I thought he was flying low to avoid the black smoke that was billowing over the water.<br> My eyes were drawn back to the other tower. I thought some dimwit had run one of those traffic helicopters into it, or a small prop type of aircraft had struck the building.<br> Then the second planed turned into the tower. He adjusted his wings, turning from one way to another so he could bury the entire plane into the building. Bury it he did. I couldn't believe how that plane was swallowed whole into the building.<br> I do not care how slow you might be, as soon as you saw that second plane go into the building, you knew we were under attack!<br> How can I describe it? Picture some kid running a stick alongside a white picket fence. That's what the wings were doing to the side of that tower from the inside. You could see the outside steel being cut by the wing. Then there was the largest explosion you ever saw and a fireball that looked like it took the entire top of the building off!<br> I don't know what made me do it, but I walked toward the tower instead of away. People were jumping and it was sickening. Some of them landed within feet of where I was and I was sprayed by what they had turned into. I was mesmerized by it. I didn't want to look but I could not help myself. There was one guy in particular who looked like he was shimmying in between the guide for the window washing aparatus, but something hit him and he went head first down, leg bend slightly, arms at his side, his tie flying haphazardly, like some form of morbid hanging. Another one was coming straight at me and I don't know what I was thinking, but I did not move. I was going to break his fall. Or I was frozen. A cop screamed at me to MOVE and I did at the last second. I could tell by the guys eyes that he knew exactly what was happening. I will never, ever forget those eyes.<br> People were transfixed, mesmerized by what we were witnessing. A cop asked us if we needed help. When we said no he told us that we couldn't do anything. That we needed to get away from the area. Move North. He had to be there, we didn't. We started moving away, but without any determination. We would walk a few feet and then look at it, walk, look, walk, look.<br> Some cars had their radios on and some of us huddled around the cars, listening to 1010 WINS. There were other aircraft up and unaccounted for. A report came in that the White House may have been a target and another report which was stated as unconfirmed but that the Pentagon had blown up.<br> Paper was floating all around us. Some of it in really good shape.<br> I made a few calls from my cell phone. One to my job to tell them what was going on. They were so panicked that I merely said I was OK but was not coming to work. I then called another building that I helped manage, one that could be a target, to tell them to evacuate.<br> I called home but could not get through because of the circuits. They were too busy. To this day I don't know the name of the street that I got to when I heard this sickening sound. I cannot describe it. It sounded like groaning and twisting of metal. The top of one of the towers looked like it started to slip, so slowly. I thought it was going to tip over. Then it stopped. For some time. Then it disappeared and it looked like someone had turned on a spicket or like a geyser had started. Or a volcano.<br> I know it only took seconds, but everything was in slow motion. The building imploded. You were in denial. Even though you were seeing it, you were not believing it. It looked like a movie. A bad sci fi movie. Cheap budget. The movie Independence Day when the Empire State Building was blown up, that looked more real than what I was seeing.<br> This cloud started coming at us. Everyone started running. I ended up on a cobblestoned street and it must have been an alley-way type of thing because only the backs of buildings were facing me on either side.<br> I tried a few doors but they were locked. This huge cloud was overtaking me. There was a delivery truck, like a FedEx or DHL truck parked half on and half off the sidewalk. There was this woman screaming in the middle of this cobblestoned street/alley. I went to her and grabbed her. I took her to the truck, threw my suit jacket over her head and pushed her down behind the truck, almost under it.<br> I hunched myself at the back of the delivery truck, getting as close to it as I could to use it to shield me. I took three breaths and held. The cloud hit. It went from a beautiful, crisp clear pre-fall day to complete white, then gray, then black in less time than it took to write that. It was a sickly, clammy, humid, stinging cloud. I did not close my eyes right away; I don't know why. Debris got into my eyes. It felt like the steel wool that you use when working with wood, like the #4 steel wool. It blinded me. My left arm was struck with something and it my wrist went numb. The cloud did not really subside. It cleared to the degree that you could see, but the stuff in my eyes made everything blurry. I never saw the woman after that or my jacket.<br> I had puked because when I couldn't hold my breath anymore, I inhaled deeply and got a mouthful of crap. I couldn't catch my breath which made me panic and try harder which only got more stuff in my mouth. When I stopped puking and breathed again, I got more in my mouth and puked again. I don't know how long it was, but I was able to breath small breaths at first until I started breathing through my shirt.<br> I started wandering, trying to get my bearings. There was paper, a tremendous amount of paper everywhere. Soot fell like a heavy snowstorm. The sun was blotted out. Shoes. More shoes than I had ever seen before. I thought that people were blown out of their shoes. I was dreaming. This had not happened.<br> People started guiding me on where to walk. Some of them wore the vests like DOT uses on jobsites. Irredesent Orange and yellow. They were telling me not to go this way, go that way. Fires were burning all around me. I was in hell.<br> I cannot tell you that I actually saw the second tower come down. I don't know whether I actually saw it or if it was what I saw on the news later. I can tell you that that sickening sound, like a freight train only a lot louder started all over again. Another cloud, but this time I just walked and closed my eyes altogether. I fell at one point and someone helped me into some store. The window was black. The lights flickered and went out. No one said anything for some time. A lady started saying the Rosary. Some of us prayed with her.<br> I ended up on Broadway near City Hall Park and Park Row. Medics grabbed me and poured either water or saline on my face. Some guy with a mask started working on my eyes, pulling stuff out with tweezers. Holding a flashlight to my eyes. They burned. I was given water to drink and I didn't realize how parched I was until I started drinking it.<br> He asked me how many fingers he had and I said ten. He worked on my eyes some more and asked me how many fingers did he have and I said ten again. Then he said how many fingers was he holding up and I said three or two, I don't remember. He asked me who the president was. I said Irving Schneider. He asked who the hell was Irving Schneider and I said the president of my company. He asked me who the president of the US was and I said thank God George Bush because Gore would never respond to this. He asked if I needed assistance to get to the hospital and I told him that the hospitals would be busy, I would make it to my doctor.<br> I joined the zombies that walked in aimless unison. We walked like gravity was pulling us forward step by step. I ended up on the Brooklyn Bridge, walking toward Brooklyn. When I came out of the sickening smelling fog, I looked back at Manhattan, leaned against the cables, lit a cigarette and started to cry. Some photographer tried to snap a photo and I swung at the camera with anger that surprised me. The camera fell to the ground. We both looked at each other and I kind of shrugged. I bent forward to pick up the camera and accidentally kicked it and it fell through the cable, hit the walkway under the bridge and bounced off it. I mumbled a half apology and walked away. The photographer merely stared at the water where the camera must've hit. I wonder what photos he had.<br> I did not follow the crowd once we got off the bridge. I knew that we would never get on a subway because of the last time we had to walk to get off Manhattan. It was either the transit strike or the 93 bombing of the trade center.<br> I got down by Atlantic Avenue when the gypsy cabs started honking. The first guy that rolled up on me was wearing a turban and I told him to get the hell away from me. I was angry at all india/pakastanis/islamic fundementalists that day.<br> Another gypsy came on me and I asked him how much to Sheepshead Bay where I lived. 140 was the price. I gladly accepted. A sick thought had hit me. I was covered in soot and ash and remains of those who perished, including the remains of those whose remains had splashed on me when they jumped and landed within feet of me. Remains from those who had caused this was on me too. I cried some more.<br> When I got home, my daughter heard the keys in my door and was crying Daddy and running toward me until she saw me and then she ran away in horror. I was a mess and looked a lot worse. My wife looked at me as if for the first time and yet much more intense.<br> I stripped off my clothes and got into the shower. I spent a long, long time in the shower trying to scrub off all the remains. Somehwere in my head I knew that I was clean again, but I still scrubbed.<br> I had my wife bring me shorts and my robe and a bag for my clothes, underclothes, shoes and socks. We lived in an Co-Op apartment which had a garbage chute. I dumped the clothes down the chute and then went down to the lobby into the garbage room. I lit a match and tossed it into the incinerator. In NYC buildings no longer burnt their garbage, but I did not care. I wanted those clothes burnt. I watched them burn for a time and then went back upstairs.<br> I watched the television and held my wife. I put my other arm around my daughter. While I watched TV, they watched me. Like I was going to break. I watched TV throughout the night. The next morning, I got dressed and made my way to work because I refused to allow terrorists to dictate how I was going to conduct myself.<br> The day after that I did not go to work. The phone had started ringing with family and friends checking in. And then the families of those missing started calling. At first it was 5, then 12, then 17. When all was said and done, there were 41 people that I knew that were missing. We made missing posters and plastered them all over Manhattan. I spent part of the time down on Chelsea Piers feeding the rescuers turned recovery workers. Some time at the Armory with DNA smaples of friends and helping some of my friends folks fill out paperwork.<br> For the next several months the fire burned at the trade center and no matter where you were in Manhattan, you had this sweet sickly smell that enveloped the city even through rain.<br> I created a memorial to those that I lost, to those that America had lost and the heroes that responded. I put it on the internet and sent the URL to family and close friends. By word of mouth it turned out to be the most viewed memorial on the internet located at http://attacked911.tripod.com and called America Attacked 911.<br> For months afterward I had this sensation of shaking on the inside. Sometimes I would be talking to you and I would suddenly lift my arm straight out to see if I was really shaking or not. It was a self concious thing that I cannot say for sure when it subsided, but think it was late January or early February.<br> I went to funerals or memorials or both on a weekly basis, sometimes several times a week, between September 2001 through the end of May 2003. Then I went to 2 in June, 3 in July and the final one in August 2003. I couldn't go to any more.<br> A week or so after the attack, something came on the news and bin Laden was mentioned. My 8 year old daughter said, "I hate bin Laden and if he was here I would kill him dead." She said it with such anger that it broke my heart. I just held her while she cried and told me how she thought I was dead.<br> My wife had been after us to move out of New York prior to the attack. Within 10 days of the attack, she mentioned moving again and I snapped at her with more vehemence than I thought I still had in me that she should not even think of moving for one year. Not even mention it to me. No one was pushing me out of New York.<br> I went to the memorial on the anniversary. The next day I was getting ready for work and my wife must've asked me 12 times if I was OK. I finally asked her what was on her mind and she responded that she had not mentioned move for the year that I had told her not to and now she wanted to move. Now. No delays. We moved to New Jersey on 1 November 2002.<br> I am never that far away from September 11th and every time I close my eyes, I see those people that jumped and particularly that man whose eyes I had seen so clearly as he came ever closer to me, faster and faster, until that cop screamed and made me move. I would've been killed and I often wonder if that cop survived or not. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I do not sleep right anymore and I want revenge. I am also very proud of how my city responded to the attack. I think it set the stage for how the US dealt with it. I still seeth over the animals that did this and agree that we must annhilate terrorists altogether. I agree with preemption. I don't wait for my breathing to become labored before I go to the doctor and I don't wait until root canal becomes necessary before going to the dentist. I don't think we should wait for another debris cloud or a mushroom cloud or a biological agent cloud or any other terrorist cloud to appear over another American city, perhaps mine again, before we act. If any nation has the smallest propensity in giving any type of aid to these animals, including Hammas, Hezbollah and the other terrorist organizations that have attacked Israel over and over and over again, then we should demand that these nations cease. Failing that, we should engage them militarily. We do not need permission slips to defend ourselves from the UN. The UN should follow its predecessor into the irrelevance that it has become. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember all those whose lives were taken, the heroes who sacrificed their lives as well as the heroes who responded and survived. We met the worst of humanity with the best of humanity and we have shown the world that you can smash our mightiest buildings but you will not put a dent on the American spirit. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I flew the flag long before 11 September and I was extremely proud that Patriotism became something tangible instead of something to be ashamed of, or something that required an explanation. Too bad Congress forgot that America was attacked and partisan politics rule the day once again. They forgot real quickly their singing God Bless America and now they are back to damning America by trying to divide America over the war. On 7 December 1941 Japan attacked us and on 8 December a state of War existed between the United States and the Empire of Japan. We have become so politically correct that we have damn near forgotten how to defend ourselves. 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 nmah6527.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. 2004-05-22 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.36.123.162 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. On September 11th, 2001 I was in Algebra (2nd period, when my teacher told me that the WTC's had been hit. At first I couldn't picture what the World Trade Center's looked like. Until I got home later that day when I turned on the t.v and saw these 2 big tall buildings collapse. I was totally suprised because I never thought that people would actually have the nerve to hit our buildings and kill all of these innocent people who didn't deserve to die.... I had some anger about what happened, but then I guess that anger went to sorrow.. After watching all those people covered in ruble or dust walk around like they have no place to go. I felt badd and wanted to do something to help.. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I think my life has changed because of September 11. Just because I take more time to enjoy my life and take more time to be with my friends and family. Every chance that I get to be with my loved ones.. I never take advantage of that. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember all of the brave people out there fighting for our country and all of the fireman/policeman that worked day and night to help find everyone that was burried under the ruble. I think we should never forget all the brave, hard work that those people had to do.. I will never forget them.. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, I did fly a flag after the events of September 11th. I felt the need to show that I was American and to show what our country stood for.. My feelings for the American flag have definately changed... I see the flag all around me everyday.. and I am soo happy to be part of 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 nmah3536.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.7.46.106 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. It was odd how that morning, I had not turned on any type of media, my first glimps of the burning towers was walking to my locker in the hall, one of the teachers had about 20 early bird, kids in his room,they were all watching the news teachers were walking back and forth from their rooms,calling their families. I sneeked a peek into the room and saw the second plane crash into the tower. I didn't realize there were people in that tower,I just didn't grasp that mothers, fathers, sons and daughters were lost to that crash! Until I did , I needed to talk to someone about it. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes , it has. For one I try to let my parents and family know how much they mean to me . I try to at least say a goodbye to my parents before they leave to work or even to the store. I know for sure that the families who lost to the crashes wish they could have said their last goodbyes to the victims. I try not to worry about the little problems because I know I have a bigger one, trying to show my family and friends how much I care for them. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The heroism and pride those victims showed us Americans we could be. They showed us we can once again be united under 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? My family did indeed fly the American Flag. But my feelings for the flag haven't changed. I still believe that the flag showes the rest of the world, we are still the UNITED States Of 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 nmah2425.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-10 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.79.69.225 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. I was sitting in my class room and my teacher said the t a air plane flow into the World Trade Centers. Thats how I Witnessed it. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. No it has not. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? All of the people how were killed that day. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes I flow a flag on that day. Yes I re spect the flag more. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3655.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.204.95.2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. Typical day - I was late for work, and watching Good Morning America. And as I was about to leave for work, I saw the story - a plane hit the WTC. I called my dad at the family deli in New Jersey. Although I was now in a suburb of Chicago, far from ground zero, I knew my parents were only across the river, and my brother would be at the WTC that morning having taken the Path from New Jersey into New York City. He must have been underground at the subway at the time the first plane hit -- but he made his transfer to Brooklyn safely, and emerged to see smoke in the sky and people yelling "We're being attacked." I must have made more than 10 calls back and forth to my father, relaying the updates and what was going on around me. I remember watching in disbelief as the towers crumbled, and oddly enough, I worried about what my boss would say about my not being at work. I ended up leaving for work that day at 11 a.m., and listened to the radio the entire day to catch any news and make sure nothing more would happen, and just wishing I could be close to my family. My brother was stuck in Manhattan all day because they literally closed down the city entrances, bridges, everything. My mom told me he wouldn't talk much about the occurrences of the day for weeks after, but was very irritable. He was so close to everything that happened. Moments away. As for me, I struggled with relaying the depths of my emotions to friends who grew up in the Midwest and have never seen the New York skyline, and had no context for what had happened. I imagined my former school mates would be very close to everything happening -- and my town's firefighters, who would be in New York City along with all of the other hundreds of departments that were dispatched that day. I felt alone, and the thought and pain of what so many families were feeling and all of the lives that were lost moved me so deeply...and yet, I couldn't find an outlet - and so I just prayed, as I pray today, one year later, that these families can find some peace and that their aching can be eased. And maybe, just maybe, we will become a better society because of it. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life hasn't changed drastically, but with remembrances of Sept. 11, my convictions are reenergized and I am reminded of how we should be thankful for the blessings of our family and our country. Although we're not a perfect society, we still have opportunities that many other governments do not afford to their citizens. In the past year I have tried to reprioritize how I live my life - everyday in this country, and how I should be focused on what is truly important. Life is short, life is unpredictable and life MUST be cherished. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? It sounds cliche, but the thousands of people who lost their lives were everyday heroes. Just remembering the unique lives that were lost, the families they left behind and the hope that they led their lives with is a reflection of the United States and the unique opportunities we are given as citizens of this country. What I also think needs to be remembered is the fact that these people were leading their lives the way they knew best -- going to work everyday, likely taking things for granted, some probably having left a spouse angry after an argument, another having kissed their child goodbye and others focused solely on an upcoming meeting and how their performance might be viewed by their superiors. We must remember, reflect on what they stood for, and re-evaluate our lives in this same light. If we were in the same situation, with a towering building ablaze and hundreds of people running for their lives, would we make the decision that many firefighters made, to try to help others who were trapped? What of the people that stopped to help others along the way instead of worrying merely about their own safety. We must live life honorably - and September 11th is a reminder of the choices we have as citizens of the United States. Our country stands for freedom, and as human souls, we are given the chance to lead our lives as we think best. Terrorists attack our nation because they disagree with the way our government protects the equal rights and freedoms that it believes are given to humans at birth. We can fight terrorism in our own lives by living differently, by loving deeply and by changing the world one soul at a time. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? The American flag has always held special meaning for me -- but never so strongly as now. It represents the fight for freedom and those who will try to shake the foundation our country is built on -- and shake the very soul of our country. My flag hangs along my balcony today, and when I look at it, I feel sentiments of courage, strength and love for life, family and the freedoms my country has awarded me. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah4362.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 67.248.76.160 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. i was at school on september 11, in my algebra III class. the principal came on the loud speaker and announced that the twin towers and the pentagon had both been hit by air planes. i remember trying to get a hold of my mom but couldnt because the phone lines were all busy. later in my english class, we listened to the radio and learned what was going on. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. i feel a little less safe now because of september 11. i remember for a time i couldnt stop myself from looking up when i heard an airplane fly by. i have not yet been inside an airplane since sept. 11. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? i think we should remember the heros and all the people we have lost forever. i think we should remember how strong our country really is and that we should never forget that day which became one of the most important days in history. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? i did fly a flag after sept. 11. and my ideas of the American flag have changed. they are stronger and i know now what the flag really represents. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah2387.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. 208.31.154.100 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 thought I was the victim of a joke when my sister met me in the hall of our school and claimed that "two planes crashed into the World Trade Center". I will never forget when my teacher turned on the TV in the classroom. Silence... My class was, for the first time in my memory, completely and utterly silent. I also watched as both of the towers fell- easily the most sickening thing I have ever seen. I remember saying aloud "There are thousands of people in those towers!" And the haunted looks of my classmates as they realized what I had said. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes. I have realized that many countries speak of bravery, freedom, and the equality of mankind... But America is the real thing. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The real-life triumph of good over evil. All the firefighters, police, and volunteers taught me that while 19 gave their lives to kill that day, hundreds gave theirs to save. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, and most definetely yes. I have never said the Pledge of Allegiance half-heartedly since that day. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah153.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. 2002-08-18 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 66.233.78.240 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. On September 11, 2001 I felt ashamed of the people who where behind all the terrible things they thought where going to make things better in there world .I was at school the day it happend ,Iwas in first period and are Principal came on and told us to turn the tv on and when we did the second plain hit write then I new it was no accident we were under war .Iwatched tv all threw the day and when the twin towers fell I couldnt even belevie how many people had been in the buildings. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes my life changed Ilearned that you could lose somebody you love eny time in the world.` NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That when we breack are strong grip agian we will be in the same position. 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 had a flag flying .yes my feelings have changed. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah742.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. 2002-09-03 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 208.162.207.172 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I had just taken a seat at my desk, when someone came in and said that the pentagon had been hit by a plane. Was it true? No, none of us believed it. About ten minutes later an announcement came on telling us that an airplane had crashed into the pentagon and the two World Trade Centers. It didn't really hit me until I got home from school and saw it with my own eyes. It was truely the "scariest" thing I had ever seen. How can anyone want to try to "destroy" a nation because we live in peace? How can anyone be so insensible, malevolent, and selfish that they feel the need to kill babies, mommies, daddies, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, fiancees, friends, and soul mates who did nothing wrong except be an American? NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has greatly changed after what happened on September 11th. I've learned to live each day like it's my last, and to cherish my family and friends. I visited New York on the 9 month anniversary and found myself still in disbelief that anything as terrible as this could happen to our nation. I was also touched by every fireman and policeman that I met while I was there, because each and everyone of those people helped to change someone's life in some way. They are a few of the people who are considered heros, not just because of what they did that day and the following months, but because they are the ones who helped us stand up by not running away to re-unite, and show the world that we aren't going to be destroyed. Without their courageous efforts, we wouldn't be where we are today. I have come to realize that we really are one nation, undivisible. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? September 11th should be remembered as the day that all Americans became one. We were no longer separated by race, color, sex, age, nationality, or religion. We came together, and we've shown the world that nothing can change that. Nothing will ever tear us apart. 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? On September 11th, there was an American flag in my front yard, but even though I was 16, I didn't think much about it. I used to look at it as something that people died for and that it represented our nation. That day changed that. I now look at the American flag as something much more than that. It is a symbol of all of us, me included, of how we all are united. I never took pride in seeing red, white, and blue everywhere until the tragic events took place on September 11th. I actually smile every time that I see an American flag, whether it's outside of a school, in someone's car, or on a 5-year-old's folder. 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 nmah4171.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. 65.26.198.83 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. When the first attack happened, I remember my friend Cliff telling me a plane had just crashed into one of the twin towers. At first I didn't believe it, I didn't want to believe it. I didn't think something like that could happen. As the day went on I found out it was true. I remember in my 9th period class when my teacher put on the TV and I saw the smoke puring out of the buildings. Then I knew it really happened. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I think 9-11 has affected all of us in different ways and I don't think we will ever forget. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think what should be remembered, is all the lifes that were lost. 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 had a American Flag on our car, our house, and even our mail box. I realize now what it really stands for, and I respect it even more. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah1597.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 207.99.16.132 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 this from home on TV. I woke up one morning to go to school, I got dressed and went downstairs and my mother was standing by the kitchen counter and crying. I started to watch the news and I realised why. Thousands of people had died including my cousin. I was kept home form school that day and I juss sat home with my mother and talked and realised how lucky we were that we were still together as one family. I still had my father I still had my mother and I still had my brothers. That's when I thought about all the kids teenagers who now don't have a mother to help them through life as it is now and how there are some kids out there that now don't have a father to help them be there soccer or football coach, they can't be there for those kids and to those kids with all my heart god bless you. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. It changed my life a lot. I think I am now more closer to my family then ever before I no longer fight with my brother as often and I'm definatly closer to my parents, knowing that they could be gone tomorrow and I try not to fight with m parents as often just because if they are gone tomorrow the last thing i probably would have said to my parents if I was in a fight with them would be, "I hate you mom / dad. you're never fair!" But, if I don't fight with them I constantly say and remind them that I love them and I constantly say that I'll always be there for them if they ever need me. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I remember thinking, "Oh my god! I can't believe it. It's so horrible who would ever want to bring forth something so bad as this who would ever hate the United States so much they would want to kill so many people?" and I think that people should remember how much patriotism was in the air after 9/11 and that we should all stick together as one country one nation and keep that patriotism in the air and show the taliban we are not afraid. We will win this war whether they like it or not 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 definatly flew an American flag after 9/11 I don't think I had a choice it just seemed like the right thing to do. The flag means a lot to me now and before I don't think I really thought about the flag much. I knew about it and it ment something to me I just don't think I thought about it as being somthing to represent everyone in the United States of America being together as one. 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 nmah2067.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 66.181.32.18 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I experienced September 11th on Telvision early in the morning, before school because I turned on the T.V. and it was like on every channel so i had to watch it. At first I thought it was a movie or something but i finally found out it was REAL. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. No, my life hasn't changed much just the same things cause I know it affected the Economy and everything but come on this is HERMISTON nothing much happens here in th West; and it happened in the East Coast so I don't think it affected my life much not as much as the people over there. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think what should be remember most of all is all those courageous Firemen & Policemen saveing all the people in the Twin Towers and that is what I think should be remembered most of all. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? No, I did not fly a flag i don't know why but i just didn't and my feelings about the american flag has changed because now everywhere you look you'll see red, white, and blue. 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 nmah1109.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