62 20 2325 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was sound asleep when the first plane hit the tower. A friend from Canada, Kelley, called and was telling me to turn on my TV that something bad had happened. I turned the TV on and was shocked at what I saw. And then I was horrified to see the second plane hit the other tower. My friend and I were both in shock and started to panic because another friend of ours, Parry, was working in NYC and we did not know where she was. So we both hung up and started calling people, searching for her. We found her and she was safe and so was her family. Then all I could do was sit and watch the TV. I could not pull myself away from the place where I sat in awe of everything going on. My heart and mind were reaching out to everyone in New York, Virginia and at the Pentagon. I wanted to help them all. That is the most awful feeling I have ever had, not being able to help people. I was able to help a few families, of the missing, get their loved ones pictures, name and who to contact if anyone knew of them on to a site on the Internet and I helped search through the names from different sites helping look for their loved one. It wasn't much but I do feel it meant a lot to the families. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has changed just like so many others. We can not take that day back and redo it. No matter how many times we rerun the images in our minds. I look at people with the same respect and trust as I always have, but I just make sure of who I am looking at now. I've always been a God fearing Christian. I am now more aware of His powers. I explained to the children I teach that it took God a lot of planning to get all those special people He wanted with him, in heaven, in those buildings at the same time. He does not take anyone before their time. I do feel that the commercialism of the event was not right. I did not buy anything just because someone was going to donate part of the sales to a 9-11 fund. I gave my money, time and blood freely not wanting anything in return. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? My daughter's birthday is September 11th. To her it will always be a sad day. But there is much more than the sadness to be remembered about that day. There was also a rebirth. America was reborn and actually had it's entire body restrenghtened and stood taller than ever. And the brothers and sisters of America joined us and we became one strong family. One that protects it's own and the others that help keep us strong. Remember the loved ones lost and also the ones that remain here to carry on until we are called to be with them once again. Most of the real heroes of that day were not celebrities and this also must be remembered. They were real people of different ages, sex, color, religion, nationality, etc. Remember the celebrities too. Like President Bush, Mayor Giuliani, etc. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I have always flown an American flag and will always fly one. It was very good to see so many others around the states flying them also. But as the time since 9-11-01 has grown, I see less and less flags flying. I don't think it is that we have forgotten what happened that day, I think it is that America can not be shaken by anything or anyone. We are still here to support our country and stand strong together. Not flying a flag doesn't make people uncaring, it just shows we are comfortable with how we stand. We show it in other ways, like joining together in church, buying American products, voting, etc. 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 nmah3980.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. 66.76.247.40 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. On September 11th I witnessed something I've never witnessed before. I saw a nation come together as one and share an experience that will never be forgotten. It is the first time I felt united to my country and the first time I was really proud to be an American. I can remember the feeling of when I first saw the horrific images of the World Trade Center on September 11th. Thoughts of hate and war were racing through my mind when I realized what was actually happening. I could see the cloud of smoke from my friends balcony and each glare I took a tear fell from my eyes. Now when I see something that reminds me of that day I still get a little teary eyed but not all of it is tears of sorrow. Our nation has never been this united and I have never seen so many brave souls and proud Americans helping each other than I did on that day and to me that is the history of September 11th. 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 nmah4816.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. 152.163.189.67 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 actually at school when it all happened. I heard some teahcers saying something about the twin towers being bombed. I kind of just shrugged it off because I really didn't think much of it. I guess I kind of thought that it wasn't for real. Then I went on to my next class and our principal came on the announcements and said that not only had the World Trade Center been attacked but also the Pentagon. At first I thought maybe a plane accidently crashed into the towers but hearing that the Pentagon had the same thing done to it gave me a really eerie feeling. We watched a news broadcast during the course of that class and it made everything more concrete. Many people around the school were in a panic because they had family that worked mainly at the Pentagon and things like that. Alot of students went home early upon parental request. It was pretty crazy. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I don't think that my life in particular has changed since September 11th, but American life as a whole has changed in the fact that we show unity and patriotism alot more. I am definately more appreciative of having my friends and family alive today. I also joined Lake Jackson Volunteer Fire Department (Co. 7) because I want to be able to help people in need like so many of the Nation's fire fighters and police officers did last year. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that all the lives that were lost on Sept. 11th (and in the aftermath) should definately be remembered. I think we should honor those who gave their times and in some instances their lives to save innocent people. I think its very important for us not to dwell on it though because in that way we're falling into the trap that the terrorists have set for us because we continue to talk about it like we can't move on. I think the biggest thing to remember about September 11, 2001, is how as a nation we pulled together to protect ourselves. United we stand.....divided we fall. 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 actually I did. I have one on my car window. Since Sept. 11th I think the American flag has become a more emotional thing for me. When I hear patriotic songs like the Star Spangled Banner or America The Beautiful, it makes me cry. These are songs that I've known for almost my whole life and never before have I felt so much emotion in just hearing the words. I have taken more pride in my country since the September 11, 2001. 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 nmah2422.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 wrote the followig description of my September 11 experience the following week. I have not changed it although in retrospect I realize that all the events may not be in exact order, and that my sense of direction was confused. If you were part of the group I describe, or if you know of someone who was part of the group please email me: rasrob@earthlink.net. I would like to compare notes and fill in still empty holes in the story. Its all good? Part I. In The Body. At around 9 oclock on the morning of 911, the phone rang in my apartment. It was my wife, Anna. She told me to turn on the TV to see the devastation she had just seen outside on her way to work…something about a plane hitting the WTC. Along with millions of others, I watched in horror, in a state of suspended disbelief, as a second plane tore into the second of the twin towers. The plane appeared so small. Its scale was dwarfed by the gigantic building. The plane looked so small. (How could it have been the 757 they later said it actually was?) I continued watching the TV, again, along with so many others. The Pentagon? Another plane? The first, and then the second WTC building collapsing? I knew that the best hope of finding survivors would be in the first hours following such total devastation. I was going to head downtown anyway; I had a meeting with Jimmy at the White Horse Tavern to see about a job. I knew that after the meeting, I would head further downtown to volunteer in the rescue effort. It was around 11 oclock . I decided to walk down. I had put on my Nike hiking boots, the same ones that I wore in Israel on Masada; the same ones I wore in Hawaii at the Volcano. I put on black jeans, a black t-shirt, and a black light weight jacket. I put my Israeli Army dog tag in my pocket because I knew that it was the most durable ID that I owned. I live on 15th Street at 7th Avenue, and I headed West to 8th Avenue which turns into Hudson Street as you travel South. I got to Hudson and 12th Streets, had a brief meeting with Jimmy, and agreed to come in to start working Friday night, basically bouncing and busing. I left Jimmy around 11:15 and headed South down Hudson Street. There was almost no pedestrian traffic heading South. Most people were heading North. I caught up to two red-beret Guardian Angels and asked them if they knew where volunteers were meeting? They said they hadnt heard anything yet. I continued walking South. When I got to about 10th Street and Hudson, I came across a fire fighter who was completely dazedshell shocked. He was covered with dust from head to toe. The sweat, mixed with dust, had entered the creases of his face making it appear like he was wearing some kind of grotesque mask. Several police officers approached him and began to speak with him in an attempt to help him focus and regain his sense of where he was. It was quite obvious that he had been helplessly roaming the streets, and although he had obviously been at the epicenter, he had arrived haphazardly, pretty far North of the scene of the attack. I continued on South, I passed Houston Street, and went past the Sachi and Sachi building. The flow of traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, was increasing, as buildings emptied and people attempted to leave the downtown area. At Spring Street and Hudson, I came across the first truly heavy police presence that I saw that day. There is some kind of Federal building on the West side of the street that takes up the whole block. There were dozens of Federal, State, and local police. They were checking ID of anyone even thinking of approaching that building. I continued walking South. My recollection of exact street names may not be perfect. I tried to retrace my steps yesterday afternoon, but everything is closed to non residents south of Canal Street. At some point later I will retrace my steps just to make sure I have it all correct, but for now my memory will have to suffice… I remember seeing a barricade, and my experience in manning barricades led me to avoid it. Somehow I went West, found an alley, and was able to continue South. I have looked at maps, and I am pretty sure the barricade was at Jay Street and that my detour took me around that barricade and then back to Hudson Street. At this point, there were many police officers, uniformed and in plain clothes, but they all seemed dazed and no one tried to stop me as I continued heading South. I am pretty sure that I reached Chambers Street where it intersects with Hudson and West Broadway. A road block was set up and here it was very clear that no civilians were going to be permitted further South. I asked one of the police officers manning the road block if he knew where the staging area for volunteers was? Like everyone else, he was in a daze, but he replied that he hadnt heard where volunteers were meeting yet. I noticed that nothing was happeningit was eerie, as if no one was really in command. By now it was around 11:30 and I decided to just hang out and wait until an appearance of some kind of organization began to unfold. The barricade was set up at a building that had scaffolding for construction so I leaned against it and gazed at the devastation that at this point was about four blocks away. As I was looking South, there was some movement behind me and I turned to look at one of the most surrealistic scenes I have ever witnessed in my life. Approaching the barricade from the North, coming down West Broadway, was a school bus. I noticed that on the side of the bus there were Yiddish words, printed in Hebrew. It was a typical school bus that the Chassids use to get to work in lower Manhattan. I said to myself: Are they kidding? Have the Rabbis arrived already? What are they going to do to help in this situation? Then the bus stopped right in front of me. The door opened and a Rabbi began to get off the bus. Behind him was, of all things, a fireman. Then I looked beyond the windows of the bus and saw that each seat was filled not with Chassids, but with firemen…cramped in like sardines. It looked like the firemen had hitched a ride on a Holy bus on its way to Hell…The firemen got off, and continued South on foot. At about this time, another civilian approached me from the side. He just leaned up against the scaffolding next to me. At first we didnt say anything but then we started to talk. He was in his 30s. He was from Ireland. And he wanted to volunteer. He had a pot belly and a balding head. His accent was thick. He told me he was a super in a building in Mid-town and that he had walked down. His name was John. I didnt know it at the time, but I would be spending much of the rest of the day with John… John mentioned that further West, a group of people were congregating to volunteer. They were construction workers from local 60 and local 40. Iron workers. Demolition specialists. Plumbers, electricians. We decided to join their group in hopes that we could do something. They were already in motion toward us. So John and I just joined their ranks. There used to be a TV series. I think it was called The Texas Rangers. During the opening credits, it showed first one ranger walking down the street. Then he would be joined by another and another and another and another, till finally the street was filled with rangers. That was what was happening with these construction workersvolunteers. People joined the ranks from off the sidewalks, and our number swelled to maybe 70 or 80. There was a police sergeant who was covered in the dust that was quickly coming to be recognized as the badge of someone who had been close to ground zero in one of its monstrous incarnations. He was either a friend or relative of one of the union officials and he would turn out to be our passport into the valley of the shadow of death… Our rag tag group headed East along Chambers Street towards City Hall. When we reached Broadway, the police sergeant spoke to the police who were manning the barricades, we passed through and then we headed South. I surmised that we were going to approach the rescue zone from the South Eastprobably due to the wind or some other reason. There were many ambulances parked on the street in front of City Hall which was off to our left. One of the EMS workers gave me a face mask to wear. Some of the union guys were giving out water from a cart that they had brought with them. The air was heavy with smoke and dust. I removed my dog tag from my pocket at put it on around my neck. I began to steel myself for the task at hand. I assumed that soon we would all be digging. I turned to John and said to him that we should buddy up. That I would keep my eye on him and that he should keep his eye on me. One of the Iron workers turned around and made a joke that maybe we should plan a place to meet at the end of the day in case you get separated. He was just laughing in the face of death. Sometimes bravado and a prayer are all you get…at this point there were no procedures in place, and no one seemed to know really what to do. We walked down Broadway and reached what I think was Anne Street (Anne turns into Vesey Street.) We turned right and headed West. Each step would now take us deeper into oblivion. When we reached Church Street, we then headed North. By now everything was covered in a layer of dust that must have been two to three inches thick. Everything had the same color as the dust, and smoke and dust were curling in the air as our feet stirred up the ankle deep dust beneath us. There was paper everywhere and the entire area was permeated with alien-like silence. The closest thing I can think of is the silence in the woods, when the snow is falling…With each step forward, civilization was left further behind and the weary stillness of a killing field lay eerily closer ahead. I noticed that cars parked along the side of the street were completely covered in dust. I remember saying to myself that we had to look inside of every carthat someone might be alive but perhaps unconscious in one of those cars. We kept moving forward… Someone in front of me turned and asked if I had seen that? I turned to look back at the corner, and surrounded by a strip of police crime scene tape, was an object that was as gray as everything else. It still seemed to be out of place, almost as if it had fallen from the sky. Thats an engine from a plane, my unnamed friend said. I wasnt sure if it was an engine or not…We kept moving… I decided to make a mental note of where I was. I looked up to my right and saw 100 Church Street above the entrance to that building. The letters seemed to be about a foot high and were gold colored. The tops of the letters had the same dust gray color as everything else, but somehow the golden color of the letters persisted, shimmering through the darkness of Hell. That gold color is the only memory that I have of the area that isnt gray. Perhaps somehow one ray of light had managed to break through the cloud of dust and smoke to illuminate that sign… We moved forward… We were on the East side of Church Street, on the sidewalk. Although I was thinking it, someone else actually called out from behind pick up your feet! It was really getting impossible to breathe. So much more of the dust was being kicked up as we walked…We fanned out into the street and about a block later, amidst the silence, we heard a police officer yelling from across the street to get back on the sidewalk because there was fear that the building on his side of the street was on the verge of collapse. At this point there was almost no police, fire, or other official presence. None of us were wearing any kind of real eye protection. I remember saying to myself that even sun glasses would have been better than nothing. My eyes were on fire. Somehow I never touched them, neither with my fingers nor with my clothing. I knew that just to touch them would mean the end of any hope of going forwardand I was determined to go forward. The group stopped in front of a building. I noticed that the man in front of me was wearing a badge that said he was a fire chief from some up state NY fire department. I told him that it would probably be a good idea for us to get organized at least into groups of two or three. He agreed, but pretty much indicated he was powerless to act to do it. The next thing I heard was that we would have to leave the area, that it was too dangerous. No one wanted to leave…some official said that the best thing we could do right now was to give blood and then to wait for further instructions at a different location until it was deemed safe to enter the area. There was more conversation that I didnt hear, but then a fireman who was talking to us broke open a door in the side of a building. He pointed to the whole he had made, but no one wanted to go in that building. At the time I thought they wanted us to go in there to give blood. It seemed so surrealistic to go into that particular building having to duck under broken glass and climb over rubble just to give blood. Now I think maybe they were trying to give us a graphic message about leaving the area...what else could it have been? Without taking a vote, the entire group agreed to leave the area, and headed North up Church Street. When we reached the barricades at Chambers Street, we were greeted by the media. They wanted to know who we were, where we had been, and if we saw anything, or any sign of survivors. I spoke briefly with one reporter. I didnt tell him there were no signs of survivors. I told him, Theres no chain of command. It wasnt until that night that I learned that the chain of command had been killed in the collapse of the towers… We went to a staging area on the West side. I looked at my watch and noted that it was about 1:00 in the afternoon. In time many hundreds of volunteers arrived. The police said it would be hours before we could be allowed into the area. I waited until around 4:00 and then walked home. I did not return to volunteer the next day. I knew that soon there would be an excess of volunteers, more skilled, and much younger than myself. I only regret that while I was there and available, there was nothing for me to do other than to become a witness. God bless you. God bless us all. Robert Hodes 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 nmah5700.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. 2003-09-10 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.215.165.7 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 returned from dropping my son off at preschool when I enter my home, my husband was still sleeping and my sister-in-law, who was staying with us said, "Renee, come here, someone just blew up the WTC." In disbelief I watched to horrific coverage for moments and then raced up stairs to inform my husband. As a soldier, he leaped out of bed and to his office, where the upcoming weeks led to little time with his family (a small sacrafice since many had lost their famlies). Michael, my husband, the NCO in charge of building security spent much time at the center, days and nights. I was able to assist by intially bringing meals to the soldiers manning the building and eventually Michael and I coordinated catered meals donated by the local market, Wegmans Grovery Store. I picked my son up from school with tears in my eyes. How could I ever explain this to a three year old. In addition here I was pregnant and due in just a couple months. What kind of world would I be bringing my child into? I was convinced we were at the beginning of WWIII. My next thoughts were to friends and family. My best friends brother had recently moved to NYC and taken a job with Morgan Stanley. I didn't know if he was alright and I was unable to reach my friend. I later learned he was fine. I remember the Chaplain from the Army coming to my door a few days after 9.11 and just breaking down crying with him. I felt such guilt that my husband wasn't home, and I wanted him to be, but I knew he would come home when he could. He was still alive-just working like so many other soldiers. Perhaps the hardest thing for me to deal with was the impact it had on my son. At 3 yrs my son would cry in his playroom unable to understand why he couldn't have luch with daddy at his office. Or why daddy wasn't home at bed time or in the morning when he woke up, just like always. The Chaplain was instrumental in meeting my needs by organizing a night where soldiers and family members could talk about such issues and providing info on how to help our children cope. Soon I after I ran into compliciations with my pregnancy and spent some time in the hospital and the remainder of my pregnancy on bed rest. Perhaps my fear for my unborn child and the complications I had with my pregnancy help me to push back the feelings I had about 9.11. The impact of 9.11 hit me hard today, the first anniversary of the day the World changed. We have always been a peace loving and religious family but we emphasize goodness perhaps more now and the importance of brotherhood and kindness. My husband almost transferred to a position at the Pentagon only a few months earlier. I am grateful that he did not and thankful, ever so thankful that my family is safe. I can help but cry at the thought of the courageous single parents left to raise their children and the mothers who bore children without their spouses. I can not hear about that tragic day without tears and anger and love. I hope someday the world will live in peace and I hope and pray that my family and my children will contribute in establishing a universal love for all mankind, regardless of country, race, religion, sex or any other difference. God Bless America and Peace to all... Renee Marie Snell 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 9.11 should never be forgotten and that what we should always remeber is how we came together as a nation, "one nation under God", regardless of differences, we came together as Americans. We came together as a world united in the war on terrorism. WE CAME TOGETHER... Everyday we witness division, rich and poor, democrat and republican, black or white, american or other. BUt on 9.11 we were one nation, one world, disgusted and horrifed and the acts witnessed. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? We have always flown our American flag but family members who did not own one were quick to show there love of theri country and display their flags, and do to this day. My feeling about the flag have grown stronger and I hope that my children grow up with a love and respect for the flag. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah4279.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. 67.249.164.215 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. Whem I witnessed history on September 11th I was in science. We didn't see the first plane crash but we saw the second. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has not really changed except that I'm more aware of things that happen around me. And I respect my mom more because every time she steps out that door that could be the last time I see her. So I guess my life has changed just a little and every time I wake up I thank God because I probably wouldn't wake up without him. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think what should be the most remembered about September 11th is all the people that died. Also the most memorable thing is how it didn't bring us all down. But what I thought was most memorable was that the other contries were singing or national anthem. 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 put a flag on my moms car and I hung a big one up in my room. My grandmom and other family members hung up flags all over the place. Now when I look at the American Flag I remember all the people lost their life. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3310.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. 209.3.137.130 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 10th grade english class around 10am when our school principal came over the anoucements and told us that the world trade center and pentagon had been hit by a plane. When he said the World Trade center, I didn't think to much about, however, when he said the pentagon I got very worried. My dad works at the pentagon and I was scared that something had happened to him. It turns out that about five nimuted before the plane hit my dad had walked through that hallway that was hit to a meeting and almost stopped to talk to someone but he was late so he didn't. He was ok, but if he had stopped there could have been a good chance that he would not be here today. Of corse I didn't find he was ok until about 3 that afternoon. I went home from school early that day and took one of my friends home too, it was her birthday and her dad also worked in DC, I waited with my mom until we found out everything was ok. All I know is before September 11, 2001 was just a day and know its a day that will nnever be forgotten. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I don't think my life has changed to much since 9-11. Now I'm a little more catious and get paranoid when planes fly low, but all together things have pretty much gone back to the way they were before. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? 911 should be remember as a day that our american freedoms were threatened. The people who lost their lives should never be forgotten and we should try our best not to let anything like this ever happen 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 fly an american flag now and I had one before, however now it has a much deeper meaning to it. I now also have a flag on my car, a constant reminder of what our country stands for. I still feel the same about America and as a country as a whole I think that we are now more patriotic. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah6230.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. 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 was sitting in my second period French class, trying to get some much needed sleep, when I found out what had happened. The intercom crackled as the principal cleared his throat and informed us, in his usually serious manner, that a plane had struck one of the buildings of the World Trade Center. My classmates, who were usually quite indifferent to these random announcements, appeared alert, as if someone had dropped a heavy book on the floor causing a loud pop. Let us now say a prayer together for those men and women who were on the plane and those still inside the tower, the principal continued, conscious that he had just seized the attention of every boy in school. In my gut, I felt a sort of emptiness unlike any I had felt before, mixed with a an acute sense of excitement, as if it none of it were real, merely an incredible movie. Class returned to the study of French, but I sat there wondering, thinking about what the scene in New York must be like at that moment. At lunch, the topic off conversation remained on the events that were unfolding at the WTC, with kids passing around printouts of the latest information acquired form CNN.com. The ambiance thickened with intensity as each person at my lunch table gave their theories as to what had occurred. We were like detectives attempting to solve a great mystery, unaware of the wide scope this attack encompassed, but nonetheless thinking ahead to the ramifications this would lead to. And then I saw the fallen towers on T.V. The World Trade Center, a symbol of economic prosperity and capitalism, twin buildings of glass and steel that stood above all others in the city, had been reduced to a smoking rubble. At that moment nothing else mattered. My fellow students and I sat in the government class, silent, waiting for a resolution, an answer to how this came to be. It did not come that day. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. It is now a year since that day. There has been time to reflect and time to react. I look back to that day as a morose one, because our untouchable world, the one within the confines of the United States borders, had been breached in a most egregious way. There was no longer a sense of invincibility from the rest of the world as there had been before the attacks. All it took was a group of common men to bring this nation to its knees. My life has not changed because of September 11th. My daily routines remain as they always were, and I find myself forgetting about that unforgettable day twelve months ago. Although my physical life has remained intact, that is not to say my worldview is unaltered. For now I try to examine American society through the eyes of foreigners, searching for what they see in us that is so odious, so awful, that they would kill us. This is no longer about the good guys versus the bad guys; it is about Americans coming to the realization that it is not all about them. As Americans, we forget that millions around the globe go to sleep hungry, shivering from the cold, or dying in deplorable conditions. No tears are shed for the faceless masses of the third world, but for the dead Americans of 9-11, whom 99% of us didnt even know, the Hudson River is over flooded with tears. This is wrong. Before being Americans, we are bound as brothers of the human race. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? September 11th will forever be etched in the minds of Americans who witnessed it. One must remember that is was a day where people died, ordinary men and women. and that it could have been anyone of us. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? 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 nmah3001.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-10 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.163.188.163 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 was a sophomore in high school when 9/11 happened. On the morning of the attacks, I turned on my radio to finish getting ready for school and the first thing I heard was that a plane had hit the Pentagon. Now, I thought that it was a joke...but then I figured, Why would they joke about something as serious as that? My dad had heard my radio down the hallway and went to the living room to turn on the TV. The Today Show was showing images of the first plane hitting the first tower. Then we both witnessed the second plane hitting the second tower. I stood there in shock. I tried to eat breakfast, but I was too distracted by the images on TV. Soon, I realized, I needed to leave in order to get to school on time. When I got to choir that morning, the room was buzzing with "Did you hear what happened?" I quickly went up to my friends and asked if they had heard. One of my friends didn't even know what the Trade Center was until that day. We were all in shock and couldn't really concentrate on our music so our teacher dismissed us early. All day we watched the news to keep up with what was happening. When the plane crashed in PA, that's when stories really caused me to choke up. The thought of making a phone call to your loved one and then leaving the phone connected as they heard the plane crash...that would be terribly hard. Obviously, as expected, that whole day was hard to get through. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has changed because my country had been threatened that day and so was our national security. Airports tightened down on security; people were really scared to fly! 6 months after the attacks, I went to NYC on a mission trip for my spring break. That was the BEST experience of my life. That really changed my life. The week were there, we did a number of things to help the victims and the city. One of the days, we served hot chocolate to people walking by. Although many were suspicious, they still took a cup after we reassured them that we weren't there to poison them. Another day, I helped the American Red Cross/Safe Horizons group take out duplicate profiles and through the doubles away. Later that afternoon, one of the leaders came by and asked our group who would like to be a runner. My friend and I volunteered for that since were tired of being in the hot office. She and I went to the building next door where victims were filing paper work and we were to take them back to the other building to get in line in the appropriate places. On one of our trips I noticed a woman who was sobbing; my heart went out to her. So my friend and I walked the next group to the building and then went back. The woman was ready for us to take her next door. Before we headed out of the building, I stopped and asked her what had happened to her. It turns out that she had a little salon near the Trade Center that was completely destroyed. She started crying again as she told us of her loss. I felt so bad for her! So after she finished telling us, I asked her if she would like us to pray with her. She eagerly said yes. That was one of MANY experiences I had on that mission trip. On our free day that week, we went to Ground Zero which was obviously a sober time. My cousin and I immediately started crying when we saw the fence that had a bunch of pictures, flags, and other messages on it. It touched us. After we were done remembering, we headed back down the ramp they had set up and back onto the street. My cousin, along with one of our friends, and I walked to this little store. They had enclosed a section of their store that had soot and ash covering their clothes. Behind us was a painting of firemen and police that were standing in Ground Zero after the towers collapsed and debris had settled. It was also very touching. That was the BEST trip of my life. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Now that I've graduated high school and it's been almost 3 years since the attacks, I feel that we should remember everything of Sept. 11th. Nothing should be forgotten. I remember Bush and Guiliani rushing to the scene and immediately offer their help. To me, that's what makes a great President and Mayor. I have a lot of respect for both men. The people who were on the planes are the heroes...as well as the firemen who searched endlessly for survivors. THEY ARE ALL HEROES. I always start crying when I think of their efforts. I will never forget watching them act on that horrendous day. The people on the flight that crashed in Somerset, PA should be remembered. They are also heroes...they stopped that plane from hitting another target - which possible could've been the White House. Everybody who died, everybody who helped search are heroes to me. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, my family flew a flag after Sept. 11th. My feelings grew stronger after 9/11. I had never been more proud to be an American. The flag held more meaning for me. All patriotic songs held more meaning for me - I get goosebumps when I sing songs for 9/11. No matter what anyone may think of us and our country, I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN. God Bless the USA! Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah6559.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. 2004-07-17 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 66.159.192.77 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 St. Louis. I caught the news that morning as the news broke about the attack. Personally, I was stunned and could not believe it occured. I checked all the other news outlets and all had the same news. I was devisitated. Notified friends and family immediately to turn on the news. We were all stunned and that lasted a few days. Then intense anger was the emotion. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Not really. Life does go on. I fly far less now-a-days, not because of security but for the hassle added to flying. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I believe the tragic loss of life should be remembered. Those folks who died that day were not party to events in the mid east, they were common working folks going about their duties to tend their respective families. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? No for 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 nmah697.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-30 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 63.183.39.234 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. The day began like anyother day that senior year at Sickles High School. We woke up, parked, gathered our friends and proceded to 1st period. This day was the Senior graduate announcement day so we got to leave early out of 1st and go to the gym for our assembly. We were all laughing and having fun, not a care in the world at the assembly. When we got released to go to 3rd period we walked out with egos as bug as the school, thinking that nothing or no one could ruin our year. I remember walking through the halls and having this erie feeling. The halls were too empty, the classrooms were too quiet and the whole scene did not feel right. I walked into my AP Psycology class and saw my teacher watching the tv, her back was facing the door. "Movie day, Mrs.Rice" I askied thinking the day was going to be cake. I mean an assembly and a movie day this was too good to be true. I looked at the screen and saw a building on fire. I began to wonder what kind of movie this could be, but then I looked at the bottom corner of the screen and saw LIVE 9:02 9/11/01. I stood there jaw dropped, backpack falling and heart racing. As more of the class walked in Mrs.Rice turned around and all we saw were tears engulfing her face. Not knowing what to do we sat indian style on the ground and were mesmorized by the tv. Then we saw the most disturbing sight to ever be seen by any of us, another plane crashing into the other tower. We saw it coming and when it hit we all screamed and tears soon followed. We were yelling at the t.v. "Oh my god" and "What the hell is this". Then the fear began to set in. We raced to the windows and began to look for planes flying too low. Even though the possibility of a plane hitting our school was 0% we thought for sure they were coming for us. Cell phones began to ring, there was more crying, messages of family and friends that could be there in the towers, the planes or the pentagon. We began to notice things falling from the towers and assumed that it was debris, but then the news channel did a close up and we saw that it was people throwing themselves from the towers. People ran out of the room getting sick in the hallway not knowing what to do. No one could explain what we were seeing. As everyone tried to call family I was glued to the t.v. I noticed that the top of the tower was shaking very quickly. "I think they are going to fall" I said. Everyone looked at me with question but then began to analyze the situation for themselves. We all knew it was going to happen but hoped we were wrong. Unfortuantely we were not. When the towers fell there was not one sound in the entire school. Time stood still. It remained silent for the rest of the period. No crying, no talking, just silence. Finally a nose came,the bell rang for 4th period,but no one wanted to leave, we had to see where they were next. But we were told the best thing to do would be to continue on as if it was a normal day. I walked out of the hallway and saw my little brother, a freshman at the time. His eyes were filled with tears and question. I looked at him and we both knew that our lives would never be the same again. The day continued on, and all day we were subjected to watching the same pictures over and over again. I got sick everytime I saw it. Some of the other class members could not take it and ran out of the room cursing everything and everyone. Names were called on the overhead to go home because their parents were there. Each time, I was hoping mine would be next, I wanted my mom. The school day finally ended and instead of the joyous departure, all I saw around me were empty shells of people who had lost their souls, their inncoence their childhood. Then I saw my mom, I ran up and hugged her so tight and began to cry again. My brother soon followed. We just stood there like so many other familes under the flag pole crying, hugging and looking to the sky for planes. That night, we all slept in the living room. No one wanted to go to school the next day, but we had to. We were greeted with the t.v.'s showing the pictures again. Myself and two of my friends stood up and walked to the tv and turned it off, we had seen enough. We had discussion thoughout the day and we finally spoke about what we had seen. Although we all saw the same event, we all had different memories of it. Ever since that day, we all look up to the sky whenever we hear a plane fly overhead, eventhough in our eyes they all look to be flying too low. That day, 9/11/01 will always and forever be engrained into our memories and just like I have done everyone needs to say their story. We can not let ourselves nor anyone else forget that day. Our nation's innocence and childhood was taken that day and that is something I will never forgive them for. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My family grew closer and we all began to take every thing for more value then we used to. More volunteer groups were created and everyone appreciated everything more than they used to. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? There are so many things that need to be remebered about that day. From the attacks, to the death tolls to the thousands of children that will never know someone in their family.Those will all be rembered though because they are tangible items. Future generations need to be reminded of the fact that the attacks stole this nation's innocence, its dignity and that the attacks were plain brutal and cruel. They were done with no intention other than to ruin us and try to show us as weak. They need to remember the unity that it brought. The good will towards mankind that was shown, the thousands of volunteers, the respect that was shown and most of all that the US did not fall only grew stronger. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? My hose was decorated in it. Everyone took the declaration of independence so much differently after that day. Some of us even cried when we said it. The flag symbolized our resiliance, our strenght and 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 nmah5664.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. 2003-09-08 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.73.110.206 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. Watching the "Today Show" as it was interrupted by the horrifying scenes of September 11th, I looked down at my 6 month old daughter playing on the floor and I cried and thought "What have I done? Why did I bring a child into this evil world?" I now realize that there are evil people in the world, but I brought my daughter into a country that is more united than it has ever been. September 11th was a horrible tragedy that has brought our nation together. My daughter will be raised around people who are proud of their nation and are unified as one. I do not regret bringing her into this wonderful country. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I feel a sense of pride that I have never felt before. Americans came together to help others and we haven't let the terrorists win. We are a strong nation and I feel like people are more willing to help now. I don't feel alone. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? We should remember the victims and pray for their souls. We should never forget the feeling we had on that dreadful day. We all felt a sense of togetherness and unification that many of us have never felt before. We should never lose that feeling and pride that we have in our wonderful country. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I used to see the flag and think nothing of it really. Now I see our flag and remember how wonderful Americans and how beautiful our country truely is. 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 nmah2030.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. 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 witnessed it first from a boy at school who said that planes hit the World Trade Center in New York. Then when I got home I watched the news for hours to get all the details. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I think that my life has changed since September 11 because now we have to be more aware of the dangers that can occur at any time. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? We should remember all the people who gave their lives to save lives in the towers. Policemen, Firemen, anyone and everyone who was there to help. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, I did fly the American flag after the events but I dont think that my feelings changed about the flag, its always been a symbol of freedom and always will. 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 nmah3512.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.7.46.106 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I'm in my pajamas. In the sunroom. In front of the computer. Hunched over my second cup of coffee. Checking my email. I live in a small resort community on the Delaware coast and I'm thinking what a glorious day to take the dog for a walk on the beach. My partner calls from the den and says, "Come see this." I walk in and over Katie and Matt's shoulders I see smoke billowing from one of the World Trade Center buildings. "Some kind of freak accident," my partner says. I'm trying to take this in when out of the corner of the TV, a smudge races across the screen and plows into the second WTC building. I sag onto the sofa. "Who is doing this?" races through my mind. "Who is doing this to my country?" I remember the next few hours as a series of individual images i will live with till I die. People leaping from the windows. An immense shower of debris like some obscene piñata as one of the buildings collapses. People running in terror. Firemen crying, the tears cutting channels through their dust-covered faces. The Pentagon in flames. My partner has cancer. I'm trying to figure out if this is the future, how can I possibly take care of him? We didn't leave the house for two days. For two days we stayed glued to the TV, ate whatever we could find in the fridge, wondered what could we do to help. What got us out of the house finally was the blood drive at a local church. I was amazed at the flags. Everywhere, flags. On cars, on lawns, on stores, on houses. We have a big flag in back of the house by the pool. I wanted a flag for the front of the house. After giving blood I hit every store on the way home. Big stores and small. All of them sold out. It took us a week to get that flag. And to get some sense of perspective on what had happened. I kept thinking of the anarchists at the end of the last century, whose only goal was to destroy. Bombs and pistols then. Now, God only knows. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, i think it has. We just went to New York, something we used to do four or five times a year without thinking about it except to eagerly plan on the shows, museums and restaurants we'd visit. Now, September 11th is in the back of my mind every time we travel anywhere. I'm also much more mindfull of living every day as if it could be my last. And treasuring my loved ones as if I might never see them again. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The heroism of the firefighters, police and rescue workers who gave their lives to help people. As opposed to the terrorists who gave their lives to destroy. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, we flew our flags after September 11th. Along with all our neighbors. Our feelings about the flag itself haven't changed. But I think we'll be displaying it at holidays more than we used to. 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 nmah5250.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. 2002-10-20 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 172.151.17.48 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 remember September 11th in many ways... I was in Spanish class in my old school up state NY. An assistant teacher came in the room and whispered something in my Spanish teachers ear... all of us were curious- the expression on my Spanish teachers face was unforgettable filled with upset and scared looks. She informed us that a plane had just crashed into the WTC. all us were scared especially me considering that my uncle works there on the upper floor. (luckily my uncle got to work late that day and was only in the elevator on his way up- and he got out just fine) But the entire, day all of the kids were very frightened and even though we got to go home early... we were all nervous to find out what is going to happen. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life changed somewhat because of September 11th because first of all my uncle worked there and at the time I was very nervous and scared that he didnt get out ok. Its very sad that such a wonderful tower and wonderful skyscraper that explains NYC in many ways is gone, Also it is very heart-breaking that so many people died and lost there families on September 11th. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Nothing should be forgotten about September 11th. Therefore EVERYTHING 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 flew a flag on September 11th. Yes my feeling changed about the flag because once I heard that almost EVERYONE was flying a flag the say after September 11th, I realized that America is strong and confident that we can do anything. 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 nmah1735.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 was in school. I was in my first hour class and I heard a lot of roomers going around. When I walked out of my class I saw all of the tv's on around the school and that is when i realized what had happend. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I think that I think more now about how it has affected the people that lost someone they loved. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we need to remember the people that lost their lives on sep. 11. I also think that we need to remember that people lost family members and friends on 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? no. My feelings have changed about the flag because i feel more proud to be an american than i was before. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3989.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.8.162.66 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. No one can feel more helpless then a did as a student who just heard the news over the PA system at my school. For most of the day I felt isolated from the rest of the world. We hardly had any tvs and I remmeber always thinking what was happening to the rest of the world while I was inside being protected by my school's brick walls. Despite the horror that out nation suffered in those few hours, nothing was better then finally getting information about the attacks and finally grasping the concept of what was happening to out country. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I certainly question the meaning of life much more. I have become more grateful for everyday that I have lived. You never know when god will call his angels back to heaven. September 11 has certainly taught us that. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I beleive that nothing should be forgotten about September 11. We should make every effort to perserve every little detail about September 11. We have to remember everything so that those who have lost their lives will not have died in vain. History repeats itself when we forget, and we can not take that chance. 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 just rememeber the first day back to school after 9/11 and saying the pledge of alligance to the flag. I think for many students and myself this flag that I looked at almost everyday now had a much more powerful meaning. Everytime I look at our flag, i no longer just see a piece of cloth, but rather my country. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3068.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. 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. September 11th was a horrible day for all of America. It really hit home to me. My uncle was in the Pentagon on the 11th and I was at my high school english class. Someone came to our classroom to say that a plane hit the 1st Twin Tower. The teacher turned the television on and we watched as the second plane hit. There were so many emotions in our room. Many of us were in disbelief. We couldn't really understand what was happening. The school went into a lock down where nobody is to leave the classrooms and nobody is to enter them. The principal then came on the intercom and told the teachers to turn the televisions off and for all students to change classes just to go straight to our class rooms as quickly as possible. I got to my second period class and my teacher then told us that the Pentagon was hit by a plane. I stopped everything I was doing and I broke down crying. It was all I could do. I wanted to call my family to find out if he was ok. But since we were still in lock down I was unable to leave the room and we were unable to use the phones. My teacher told the classroom that the only thing left for us to was to pray for the best. When I was finally able to talk to my family later in the night of the 11th they told me my uncle was ok. I was relieved. I was so incredibly happy! I thanked the Good Lord right then and there. In December my family and I flew to Virginia to see my uncle, aunt, and my two little cousins. It was the best time ever! My uncle told me that one of his daughters would sometime ask him before he went to work, "Are they going to land a plane at your work again Daddy?" That broke my heart and I realized the world has changed forever. Children are growing up in a very hard, cruel, and difficult world they need positive role models. That was when I decided to major in Education. I want to teach America's youth. 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 nmah5628.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. 2003-09-02 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.242.244.199 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. Since the events of September 11th, my feelings have become stronger for pride in my country because I've seen an act of history. My life and this country, America, meant something but it never really meant this much because all I knew was stories, it wasnt like I was apart of anything. I've always been affected when I would hear stories or see pictures of war. Since the September 11th attacks I feel like I play an important role in America because I am an American. I know I would have died for my country, and it's great to know that threw these times we can all stick together. All the firefighters, rescuers, inocent people, and so many more hundreds of people that died either willingly or unwillingly they will always be remembered as great citizens for dieing for their country. 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 nmah3242.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.7.46.106 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I wittnessed this tragic event on television. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, I have always thought that I live in a country where something like this would never happen. I found out on September11,2002 that I was wrong. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? All the heros that gave there lives to try and save others. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, i did hang up the American flag after the event of September 11,2002. It did change my feelings about the American flag and the meanging of the flag. I never really thought about what the American flag meant but since that day, September 11,2002 , I realize what the flag means. 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 nmah478.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-29 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 208.191.87.61