70 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. The first day I heard about it I was at school in the bathroom and a little boy came in and told me he he had lost his tooth on a historical day. I had no idea what he was talking about because i hadnt heard yet. He told me what had happened and I talked with him for about 20 minutes. When I went back in the class they were watching it on T.V. My teacher and some of my classmates looked very sad and were almost crying. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I dont think my life will ever be the same. before September 11 if I saw that a war was going on I never realy thought about it that much. I used to think a thing like that would never happen in America. I think it has made it more real to me that it can happen in anypart of the world. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think everyone that died should not be forgoten or the people that risked there lives to save someone like all the police officers or firemen or just regular people. 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 and i think everybody I know did. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah677.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-30 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 208.191.87.61 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. Well, at first I didn't believe what our principal Mr. Hallman (of Benjamin N Cardozo High School at Bayside, Queens) said on the loudspeaker. Building hit- what was he talking about? Maybe a plane just accidentally flew off course. But when he announced that the second tower was hit people understood it was no joke. Students started rushing to the phones and calling their parents. Parents came down to school to pick up their children. Names of those whose parents waited downstairs were announced on the loudspeaker. The whole situation- the school- everything and everyone- was very gloomy. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, it has. I have a different view on the world, on everyday life concepts. Before i would have never thought that US could be attacked and Sept. 11 had proven me wrong. I see everything through a different prism now- life, money, people, everything became a little dimmer. The only bright thing left is a need, a desire to breathe, to wake up every day and be safe and for everybody around you to be safe; a need to survive, to create, to do something useful for yourself and for others in this short thing we call "life". NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Original Villanelle Unpredictable future Its hard to tell whatll happen in a day. Who will be born? Wholl die? Wholl kill someone? We cant predict the future, we just pray. Will a plane with people crash or fly astray? Can something to prevent the crash be done? Its hard to tell whatll happen in a day. Is someone going to shoot someone today? Will he be paralyzed so he cant run? We cant predict the future, we just pray. Will Broadway show another sober play? Or maybe it will be a lot of fun. Its hard to tell whatll happen in a day. Will the sky tomorrow be light blue or gray? Can rivers flood, destroying everyone? We cant predict the future, we just pray. Will other countries hate us in a way? Or will we all unite and be like one? Its hard to tell whatll happen in a day. We cant predict the future, we just pray. 09/16/01 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 guess so. Now every time the national anthem plays in my school and we stand quietly, I feel as though it plays only for me, plays for the heroes who died, I feel a part of something. I feel more American than before I guess, more proud to live in this country and see heroes around and know that NOBODY here dies in vain and infamy. 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 nmah5024.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-16 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 206.149.205.218 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. Iwas in social studies class. It was just after the towers were hit. The teachers assistant came in and said there was a bunch of dead people and the towers had been damaged. I hardly knew what the towers were. Our teacher turned on the tv and we saw people sobbing and the towers suddenly collapse. And the news reporters were constanly shooting in new details as the other attacks happened. We watched the news the rest of the day. We also heard the president speak. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I would be much more afraid of riding in an airliner. I got a different view of how serious life is. I feel much better about my country and am proud of all the bravery. I have not done much yet for anyone but hope for them. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? How strong we became should be remembered always. We should remember the police, firemen, and all rescue workers who died helping 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? I will always feel proud of the American flag. We did not have a flag. So we did'nt fly one. But i think it is a nice thing to fly a flag. It is very 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 nmah4890.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-13 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 198.108.204.40 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 that morning of September 11th, my mom came in my room and woke me up at about 6:15. She said, "Brittany, wake up. Two planes have just crashed into The Twin Towers in New York. I think you're probably going to be talking about it at school today. Come watch the news." So I imedietly got out of bed and went into the family room to watch the news. My older brother was already down there, with a face that was almost white. As I watched the news, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was such a tradjic scene, of the planes crashing into the two huge buildings. It will definetly be something that all of us, including me, will tell our kids about one day. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I think my life has changed a lot because I'm more appreciative of America, I respect it more, and I'm very proud to be an American. And I think my family has changed a lot because we're more together, we spend more time with eachother, and we talk a lot about September 11th. Also my brother and I don't fight as much, and we help eachother more. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The fact that so many people died just because they were Americans. The victims were totally inoccent, and this should not have happened. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? We did hang up an American flag after September 11th, and my mom bought at magnet American flag to stick on the bumper of her car. I think when I see an American flag somewhere, it's really heart warming to see the flag being flown so much more than before, and knowing that people are so much prouder to be Americans. I look at the American flag alot differently now, and I'm very proud to be an American. 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 nmah4300.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. 64.12.96.70 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was at work at the state capitol. We have CNN online, so very soon after the first plane hit the first tower, people were in the hallway, pale-faced and stricken, saying, "Turn on CNN! The World Trade Center has been hit by a plane!" I turned it on, and watched in disbelief, thinking, "How could any pilot NOT see the WTC????" And just moments later, as I watched, with chills going down my spine and the hair on the back of my neck rising, I watched as the second plane deliberately banked towards the tower. I watched it enter the building and the fireball rise. It was hard for me to breathe, and there were tears in my eyes, but I could not tear myself away from the horrific scene in front of me, nor keep the wall of panic from rising inside of me. In the background of my mind, I heard co-workers crying, one woman screamed "What is HAPPENING to us??!!!?!?!" I called my husband, who was at home getting ready for work. I told him to turn on the television. We both didn't say anything as we watched the events unfold in front of us. Soon our offices were shut down for security purposes, and I drove home in stunned silence. My husband and I watched the TV as the towers crumbled into dust; watched the inferno at the the Pentagon; witnessed the devastation of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. We watched for hours, just holding each other, and then holding my daughter when she came home from school. That night I prayed. I try to pray every night. But that night my words and thoughts endlessly mingled with my tears, and as much I needed it, and prayed for it, the peace I sought didn't come. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes. I'm not so sure of our future, not my family's, nor our country's. There is a ever-present frisson of fear in my heart. I gained a new respect for American humanity as I watched all the heroes step up to the plate, the common unity of our nation without regard to much of the usual bigotry, the great outpouring of prayers, money, and love. I watched with incredulity the dancing of people in the street in countries we've helped and fought for. I watched with gratitude the candles being lighted and our flag flying in other countries as they mourned with us. I will not be able to put my teenage daughter on a flight by herself to visit her father, as unreasonable as that might be. I could not stand the thought of her being alone, should the unthinkable again happen. Sometimes I hope that the Navy will call me up to join them again if they need me, even though it would mean family separation and a lot less money. I conciously try to be kinder in my thoughts and actions, and try to always see the other point of view. I hate the way I hesitate when I see someone of middle-eastern descent. I don't understand why we are hated so much. It hurts me to know that some see our country as condescending, pushy, immoral and currupt. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That we should never, ever forget it. We shouldn't whine about the long lines at the airport, or that our privacy may be violated. We should always keep our door and hearts open to those that need us, but still be more vigilant in guarding our shores, even tightening our policies regarding immigration. We should expect more from our citizens, and those that benefit from our immigration programs. We should not become complacent, nor allow our government to become complacent. We should remember the fear, the confusion, the terror of that day. And if we do that, then maybe we can prevent it from happening again. Here, or anywhere in the world. I think that we should remember to pray for world peace every single 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? Partly because my husband and I are both veterans,we've always had an American Flag out during Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, but now it's a constant thing. I hope that people stick with it, continue to show their pride in our country by flying our colors. Our home (as well as others) was shown during the local news shortly after the 11th because of the large and small flags we had displayed, and I was SO proud. 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 nmah751.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. 209.158.227.190 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 driving to work and heard about a plane crashing into the world trade tower. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I always look up when a plane is flying over and wonder what if? NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Freedom comes with a price that will always have to be paid 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 have always loved this country even when it was unpopular to do so. I hope these feelings of patriotism dont fade away to quickly and that we have the wherewithal to see this through to the end. 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 nmah3496.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. 143.166.84.52 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. At first I thought they were showing video footage of the Oklahoma bombing, then suddenly I realize that it was live footage of what was happening right now! I was crushed and later I wrote this poem as a memorial... Let Today...Be The Day With a trembling heart I had to look around our office the building shook the blackest smoke had surround me and out a window I just glanced to see Within every wall I heard muffled screams awake I thought from this strange dream with a heavy roar and grumbling sounds it's a horrible thought of how to get down I am many floors up in this huge sky-rise "God Help Us Please" and hear our cries we think at first it's a great earth quake and from this dream we all try to wake The walls are rolling like an ocean's wave and so we pray this will not be our graves my mind races back to my family at home as I fumble around searching for my phone the air has turned thick it's harder to breathe tears are flowing while my eyes cannot see I found a phone but then I dialed too fast as this building I hoped forever would last oh and it doesn't matter now about my call for the cord has come loose from the wall I grasp my hands and now I pray very deep "Dear Lord, Father of My Soul, please keep... my family and my friends from mourning pleas let them think of the good while remembering me because I can see now that these walls will cave in and that this day forward my life comes to an end" "Amen" Crumbling down is the building and we all tend to slide while I can feel something pressing up against my side and I must have blacked out for I know nothing more except a glowing light that shines through some door and right now there's a hand reaching closer to me while hearing a soft melody I look around to see this is strange I thought on how it didn't take long then I smile as I realize it's a rescue Angel's Song So loved-ones of mine do not weep at my grave God will bring us together in Heaven someday and let today be the day to do a good deed by just helping someone who's really in need give all of your love you have plenty to spare and remember us love in all of your prayers. for the WTC victim's loved-ones September 11, 2001 Copyright 2001 MaryJane Garrison All Rights Reserved 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 nmah5653.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. 2003-09-07 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 66.142.179.200 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. In Dover, Massachusetts, I remember sitting in my 7th grade science class at about 10 AM, just starting school a few days earlier. My science teacher, Mr. Chaves, was just starting a new lesson when my vice principle, Mr. Nager, walked into the classroom. At first, everyone thought that it was just going to be a little chat between the both of them, but it wasnt. Mr Nager asked if he could borrow the class for a second. Then...he told us. "There's been a series of events that have taken place in the past few hours. Two planes have crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City and another in the Pentagon in Washington." Everyone looked at eachother confused and blown away. He asked if anyone had anyone flying today on any planes. Instantly I remembered my sister was flying to Dallas that morning. "The planes that hit the towers came out of Boston and were headed for Los Angeles" I thanked God. "All the flights in the US airways have been suspended, and ummm, we'll let you know if any more news comes." By this time everyone was talking to eachother in little conversations. Some seemed scared and worried about what was happening, and others were, if you can believe it, cracking jokes about the catastrophy that they knew little about. Throughout the day, our teachers discussed nothing but the events that day. They asked about people's reactions, thoughts, fears, anything that was on people's minds. By the time I got home, and walked in the door, I could see the reactions on my parents' faces. It was a reaction that I has seen too much that day. As I walked into the Den and saw the images for the first time, i choked on my own breath, and said immediately that it was "almost like a movie scene." After that, though, the room remained silent. The only voice heard was the news reporter's, and even himself was taken away by the images no one would ever have dreampt of seeing. We were in America, stuff like this wasn't suppost to happen...but it was a real as anything before. All night I was hooked onto the TV, not able to break away from the same footage that kept repeating and repeating. The following days, there were many hopes and prayers made by me for the victims, surviors, families, and everyone effected by the Sept 11 tradgety. To this day I pray for them and will never stop. That day was like none other. Terrorists set out to change America forever, and they succeeded, but not in the way they intended. They brought this country together closer than ever before. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. After Sept. 11, I look at life as a more precious thing than before. Especially immediately after the tradgedy, i began to look more at the trees, the sky, and the loved ones that surround me. One lesson i learned from that horrible day: NEVER TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The victims and families of 9/11 are, in my book, should be the most respected people this world has ever known. The people in those towers, that pentagon, and that pennsylvania field should always be remembered as heros whos lives were lost, but not forgotten. The families should be remembered as strong and powerful people who have dealt with unbelievable pain and anger, and seen their world change forever. I have great respect for all of them and they should never be forgotten. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, my family flew an american flag after 9/11. My feelings have changed for the american flag after the tradgedy. I dont take the pledge of allegiance for granted and i say it every morning with pride and confidence that this country will live on through 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 nmah6372.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-11-25 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 63.159.140.108 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 warming up my car and on my way to work when i heard on the radio (wild 94.9) that there was a plane that crashed on the World Trade Center. This radio station is known for pulling pranks but their voice was SO serious that I decided to listen a bit more. I drove on the freeway and the morning sun had not even appeared yet. When I was on THe San Mateo Bridge I heard that a second plane had hit the World Trade Center. I was in shock. Moreso than in the beginning and started to panic. My brother lives in NY but I was not sure if he was anywhere close to where this was happening. I almost reach my destination...and I heard that another plane crashed somewhere out in Pennsylvania. I dont remember how many planes were total during that point but I started freaking out. When I got to work, the whole day me and my co-workers were listening to the radio. I called my boyfriend and told him to turn on the television to see what was going on. He was silent for a moment and in disbelief. He said "THey did this on our soil". I also went online to find places where I can locate my brother. I tried to contact him by phone but the lines were so crazy that they recommended not to call for fear of tying up the phone lines. After a few hours at work they decided to send us home. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes. Yes. Yes. After the event I would drive down the San Mateo Bridge, which was under construction due to an expansion they were doing. SO there were contruction workers out there. And whom ever it was had put up a sign every other day for us commuters. One day would say "God Bless America." Another day we would see "Kick Some Ass" (when they had sent troops to Afghanistan). Seeing flags everywhere I went brought tears, anguish, compassion, and a flood of emotions. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? THe people. 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 it has. Immensly. I took it for granted, I admit. All that I've been given. An opportunity, a home, a family, friends. 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 nmah3621.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. 65.115.93.126 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 History class, when all of a sudden there was a special news report. My history teacher went and turned the volume up so that we could find out what was going on. All anyone saw was the World Trade Centers in flames. Then the news reporters announced that two airplanes were hijacked and were flown into the World Trade Centers by terrorists. As soon as this was announced it felt like the whole world came to a stop because of some cruel enemy that took the lives of thousands. Then turned around and wrecked the Pentagon. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes. It has shown me that America is not perfect. We have the ability to fight back and create a war, but has chosen not to. This coming September 11, will be scary. Not knowing what is going to happen. Wondering if they are going to strike again and where. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? All the thousands of lives lost on this tragic 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 have waved many of flags since then, and have had respect for them, and the U.S.A.!! Yes, i don't think that anyone would even have the guts do disrespect the flag in any way. 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 nmah557.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-29 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 208.191.87.61 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I live in Trenton, NJ. That day started off like any other day a race to get my children off to school and to arrive on time at work. Which is accomplishment all by itself. I arrived at work at 8:45. Not knowing anything had happened. My class arrived and about 9:40 be started our circle time. We had just finished the pledge and my cell phone rang, it was my husband. He told me that a plane had crashed into the WTC. I couldn't believe it and I started to cry, thinking of all of the people there. My class ask why I was crying and I told them. Then my Director stepped into my room and said, that another plane had crashed into the second tower. I was shocked and scared. Then I heard about the third plane crashing into the Pentagon. All I could think is that the world is coming to an end, all I wanted was to be with my family. I couldn't just leave work, but all I wanted were my children. I remember begging my director to let me leave to go get my children, that I would come right back. I couldn't. I remember calling my children's school's, my mother and my husband. I took my class outside and remember thinking that maybe this isn't the best thing to do, especically after I heard that there were five planes unaccountable for. Then I heard about a plane that crashed in a Pennsylvania field. I remember looking up and I was so afraid. I took my class in and tried to make it as normal as possible. Parents were coming and taking their children home. We ate lunch and by that time most of my class left. I was told I could leave. I left and went to get my kids. My youngest didn't know why I was picking her up so early. I explained that some very bad people were doing terrible things to America and that I wanted to be home with her and her sisters. With those words I started to cry. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I think everyone's life has changed. How could it not be. I try not to take anything for granted, because in a moment everything can change. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That it was one of the worst days ever, but with it came a nation that became united. 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 have had an American flag flying ever since Spet. 11. Yes, my feeling about the Flag and America has changed because of September 11th. I am even more prouder to be 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 nmah4167.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. The Internet was my window while witnessing the attack against my country on 9/11. I am a native New Yorker living in Georgia, and at 8:55 AM was logged into the Empire State Building webcam at http://www.esbnyc.com. I love watching the controllable webcam since I can see many of my favorite sites that bring back good memories when I lived outside of NYC in Connecticut and Long Island. Around 9:00 AM I was listening to WSB Radio here in Atlanta when I heard talk show host Neal Boortz mention that a small plane crashed into the WTC. Since I was already on the webcam, I turned the webcam to the south to see what was happening around the WTC. I knew that a rather large plane had hit the WTC since there was so much smoke and damage. I watched the horrible carnage while Neal Boortz continued to comment and then CNN cut in on the radio with a live broadcast. I listened for a few minutes in disbelief - then, sometime after 9:00 AM I zoomed the camera in on the WTC to get a closer look of the damage. At that exact moment, when the webcam came back in focus, I witnessed a huge fireball - as if I was only 100 yds away - as the second plane hit the WTC. It is an image that I will never ever forget for the rest of my life . . . NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes - I am much more wary of foreigners in my country. I realize that we Americans need to stand up for ourselves, and protect ourselves -and that we have many foreign enemies. Our first instinct needs to be self-preservation. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That our enemies are everywhere, and we cannot take our Freedoms for granted. These Freedoms need to be defended, and protected at all costs. We also need to identify our enemies, and hold them close . . . 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 still fly my America flag . . . and will do so until the day I die. 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 nmah5555.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-07-02 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 63.71.120.25 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 this fall day like it was yesturday. Me and my classmates were sitting in class doing group projects, innocently laughing and talking about day to day nonsense. The phone rang and we thought it was ringing because a kid had done something wrong and needed a trip to the principle or that someone forgot their lunch money. But as soon as My teacher came back into sight we knew by the look on her face that this specific phone call wasnt of the ordinary. We sat and listen to the words coming out of her mouth intenly. She explained to us with no sound of worry that two planes had hit the Twin Towers. Well when we heard this news we didnt know what to think. We started laughing and joking saying unbelievable things like maybe the planes will come to our school. We were acting as if the planes were going to crash into our school and kill us. We didnt understand the impact of this event or how important it was. I didnt even relize that people had died in the trajedy, even though that sounds silly. We took the ordinary bus home. I walked in the door and said hey to my mom and dad but they were preoccupied with eyes glued to the television. Our teachers didnt want to worry my sister and I or any of the other children so they didnt make a big deal of the incident. But when my two eyes fell onto the tv i was in shock. The news replayed the two planes crashing more than i can imagine. i was baffled at how any human could do this to all of these inicent people. Why should anyone have to loose their life to someone like this. My family explained it to me and my sister with tears in their eyes. I didnt understand how anyone could do this. The rest of the day i sat in front of the television with my dad and watched the news. I went to bed that night with so many questions. Some I still wonder about because they havent been answered. September 11, 2001 was a day that I will never in my entire life forget or put lightly. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I am so much more appreciative of what i have. I cant imagine loosing a family member on September 11 or loosing my dad because he had to go away to war. I cant even imagine what all of these kids go throught without their dads and its not even their fault that he is gone. There is nothing that they can do about it. I give them so much credit for suporting their loved ones. I am so lucky and i would never complain about my parrents when i know how blessed I truly am. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that the fact that America stuck together durring September 11 is the true thing to remember about this tragedy. Everyone in America cared for each other on this awful day. I dont think anyone should ever forget what hapened that day. The only thing that bothers my thoughts is when people tell me that we didnt need to go to war. If they remember what hapen they will remember why we went to war. What would have hapened since September 11 if we didnt. Septemeber 11, 2001 is not something to put so lightly that a war was not nessasary. I think that is the biggest thing that America should not forget. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? My feelings about the American flag have changed. My family did have a flag raised on September 11. When i used to look at the American flag all i saw were 13 stripes and 50 stars. I now see that If you take the stars off the flag, its not the same. Its only when the designs stick together that it is truly the American flag. The flag also wouldnt be the same without even one star. All 50 states contributed in repairing the world we live in and thats what our flag stands for. The American flag has never fallen and has held us together. 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 nmah6572.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. 2004-08-08 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.163.253.5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I woke up and found my family around the TV, in California, watching the news. Both towers had been hit by the time i saw this. I remember being afraid the my small middle school would be hit when i got there. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. At first I was scared that more attacks would come, but after a few days, I didn't really care. I couldn't fathom that what had happen was real, after seeing so many violet movies and things on TV, i started to think it was just like a show, even though some of my realitives were only blocks form the towers when they were hit. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that we should remember the people who died during the horrible event. 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? Befor the towers fall, i had never really experienced or seen much patriotism. After the event the flag actually meant something to me, before it had just been something that we saluted but after, it was our country, it was a simple that even though tragic events happen, we still are a country and a strong one at that 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 nmah6745.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2004-09-12 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 66.245.205.83 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. The morning of September 11th, 2001, I remember waking up and turning on the radio in my room to listen to music while i got ready. I heard people talking when I turned it on about a fire from the WorldTrade Center but I really didn't think anything of it because I wasn't really understanding what they were talking about. When i went into the kitchen to get something to eat i saw my mom and dad both standing in front of the tv and my mom had tears in her eyes and I saw the trade center on the tv. I remember saying "Oh my gosh mom what happened?" And they told me the whole story about a plane crashing into one of the towers. I just figured that it was an accident at the time and then later I found out it was because of terrorists. It really freaked me out. On the way to school my mom was listening to the radio and I understood what they were talking about. When I got to school we didn't really talk about it in first period because it was spanish but then in English class our teacher told us everything and we all started to get really scared and sad about it all. And in every other class that day we talked about it also. Then that night after school I looked at pictures of it all, even the ones of people jumping out of the buildings and it made me really sad about it all. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My lifestyle at all hasn't really changed, and none of my family members were involved in the September 11th tragedy but i know some of my friend's lives have. I started praying a lot more after September 11th, and even watching the news with my mom once in a while just to see if anything else in the world has happened. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think all of the lives of every single person that was killed in the tragedy should be remembered forever. They died for our country, so they should be remembered always. 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 remember my mom put an American flag on our car for a few weeks until it started shredding from the wind . I now look at the flag in a whole different and meaningful way now that September 11th has happened. 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 nmah6079.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.79.69.225 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. SEPTEMBER 11TH REMEMBRANCE Kenneth Summers, a Brightwaters resident, spoke at an emotional remembrance service at Bay Shore Middle School on September 11, 2002. Ken is among the more fortunate individuals who were at work at the World Trade Center that fateful day. He was severely burned that day but is alive and able to tell his story. We are grateful to Ken for sharing his emotional story. Good morning! Over the last 200 years our country has suffered many tragedies. In 1836 there were cries to Remember the Alamo. In 1898 it was Remember the Maine. In 1941 Remember Pearl Harbor. I dont think that there is a person from my generation in this audience who doesnt recall where they were on November 22nd, 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I know where I was. I was an eight grader, much like yourselves, when the announcement came over the loudspeaker at school. The world was devastated by the news. An entire nation was despondent and many people thought that this was the end of our nation. But they were wrong. As a nation we persevered and prospered. We went on to fight a war in Vietnam that almost divided our country. Yet despite this and the loss of over 58,000 men and women, we continued to hold our heads high. We valued our freedom and democracy above all else and as a nation we pledged to protect the weak and defenseless from the tyrants who threatened to take that all away. On the morning of September 11th I caught my usual 5:30am train from Bay Shore that got me to the World Trade Center at about 7:10am. I immediately went up to my office of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield that was located on the south side of the 27th floor in One World Trade Center (the north tower). At about 8:45am I left my office to go to the post office. After stepping out of the elevator in the lobby, I passed through the security turnstiles, the inner glass push doors and then out through the revolving glass door of the west entrance to WTC I. This brought me out under the glass-covered overhang where the taxis and cars drew up off of West Street. As I was in the revolving door going outside I heard a loud rumble that sounded more like an empty 18-wheel truck slamming on its brakes and skidding to a stop than it did an explosion. I had no idea at the time that anything was happening to the building. There was no indication of smoke, flame or the smell of fuel. I had walked no more than 10 feet Out of the revolving door when I looked to my left and saw a co-worker of mine running north along the west side of WTC 1. He was ducking down while he ran and used his hand to indicate to me that I should look up. I did and saw numerous items coming down from the upper floors of the building. I remember thinking that a bomb had probably gone off in the upper floors. Not spending more than a second to evaluate the situation, I ran back to the revolving doors to get back into the building to avoid being hit be any falling debris, Immediately after entering the revolving door I seemed to notice a discoloration of the air of the lobby. I had but a split second when suddenly the temperature inside the door increased tremendously. I must have seen a flicker of flame for I put my hands up to my face and then the explosion followed. The glass shattered into my face and the next thing I recall was that I was lying outside near the planters in front of the revolving door. There was black smoke and flaming debris all around. I believe that the doorframe was wrapped around me. I did not notice anyone else in my vicinity but I guess I was too stunned to notice. My hair was on fire, as was my shirt, which I quickly extinguished with my hands. I had no idea of the severity of my injuries. I knew I was severely burned, but I got myself up immediately and started to walk away from the building. I walked out onto West Street and asked everyone I saw if they could help me. I proceeded to the southwest corner of Liberty and West Street, across from WTC 2 and the Marriott Hotel and sat down on the steps. I had been sitting there about 5 minutes when I heard the increasingly louder whine of a jet engine and suddenly a loud explosion as the 2nd plane flew into WTC 2. I did not see the plane but debris and flames came out of the west side of WTC 2 directly toward where I was sitting. The crowd screamed and started running behind the World Financial building. Amazingly, I got up or was dragged by someone and ran with them. I had run behind the World Financial building for about 50 feet, when a man named Steve Newman came up to me and offered to help me. At the same time a girl in a gray business suit asked if she could help. I told her I needed a cell phone. She had one, pushed it in front of me and asked what number I wanted to call. I gave her my wife Nadines work number at Bay Shore Middle School and I got through to her co-workers on the first try. They got my wife and I told her that I was alive, that I was severely burned but that I would make it. I told her that Steve was offering to help get me medical attention, that I loved her and that I would get back to her later from wherever I ended up. That was the single most important thing that I did that day and I was greatly relieved that I accomplished it. Steve told me that he was the son of a doctor and that he would stay by me. He told me he felt that I was going to go into shock. My bums were painful but not terribly so as I was probably already in shock. Steve felt that the best thing for us to do was to get to New Jersey using the ferry from the World Financial Center docks. I agreed with him and we started walking toward the ferry along the Hudson River wall. As we stumbled along we came upon a fireboat tied up along the Hudson River seawall. The firemen spotted us and yelled, We Got One, and jumped off the boat to help. So far they had not seen any other injured people. The firemen brought an oxygen mask and put it over my face. I asked for water and they gave me some to swish in my mouth. They also tried to clean me up a little with a wet cloth but stopped when they realized that it might be too painful. After several minutes, I asked them if they could take us to New Jersey on the fireboat. They replied that they were ordered to stay where they were. Steve and I informed them that we then must get to the ferry. They protested but wished us good luck. Steve and I, accompanied by a fireman from the fireboat, proceeded to walk north on the Hudson promenade toward the marina. I recalled looking at my building and hearing what I thought was an explosion. I saw a cloud of debris going past my building. To me, I thought it was another explosion and I yelled to Steve that they were trying to bring WTC 1 down by exploding another bomb in the underground parking area. Unknown to me, the roar I was hearing was the collapse of WTC 2 which I could not see since the building of the World Financial Center blocked my view. I recall that the crowd parted like the Red Sea when they saw us approaching the ferry. There were thousands of people trying to escape Manhattan and still everyone cleared the way. There was no panic. They let us pass right up to the edge of the ferry dock. The ferry had just pulled away from the dock and when they saw me standing there, they, nosed back in and Steve and I and several other people jumped on board. The debris from the WTC 2 collapse did not reach us at all. I did not look back towards the city and was unaware that WTC 2 had collapsed. It would be two more weeks before my wife and daughter would inform me of what really happened that day. From the ferry I was taken by ambulance to the Jersey City Medical Center. The hospital wanted to airlift me to the burn unit at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey but all aircraft were grounded that day. Later in the evening of September 11th I was accompanied by my daughter as I was moved by ambulance to Saint Barnabas where I stayed a little over three weeks. During my stay at Saint Barnabas I underwent four skin graft operations to my hands and my arms and have been recovering at home ever since. The events of September 11th are a tragedy of world proportions. Never before have so many people been affected by an event. It touched all of our lives whether we witnessed it first hand or overdosed on the endless replays of television and newspaper coverage. It has indeed shaken our confidence, our ability to get on an airplane, ride a subway or even go into the city. But though we suffer now, we will surely rise from the ashes. While I recovered in the hospital I was told stories of the American flags that draped the overpasses and adorned cars and homes. I recall that it was one of the greatest comforts that I experienced on my drive home from the hospital a month later. To know that I had the support of so many people gave me renewed strength to get through this ordeal. People discovered the need to offer their prayers and support, both emotionally and financially, to those of us who have suffered or lost. Organizations like the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the United Way, to name a few, received donations from Americans and people all over the world, in amounts that were unprecedented in our nations history. If my own personal experiences during my recovery over the last year are any indicator of our communities strength and support then we are all well on our way to a full recovery. Since the very beginning good friends and strangers have always been there for my family and me. From the former limousine owner who snuck my wife onto the Belt Parkway to get her to my bedside at the hospital in New Jersey to the Bay Shore students who came and raked up all my leaves this past fall we have received such generous support. We have had tearful strangers with flowers appear at our front door offering their sympathies and members of my local congregation helping my wife Nadine put some order to the chaos in our lives. The casserole patrol to our home was endless. At times I felt that we would never have to cook again. As I faced a new uncertain world upon my return, there were good friends who just stopped by to talk and assure me that I was not alone in my fears. Other friends got me out of the house for a ride to the beach on a beautiful windy day, filling my heart and soul with the passion to become a part of the world again. For all of these acts my family and I will be forever grateful. My life has changed dramatically since that day. I suppose because of my injuries that my emphasis has really been to get better again and I dont deny that this is my main objective. Things that I truly enjoyed so much in the past such has playing the piano, or golf or tennis are not available to me right now and may never fully be in the future. However, with my situation come new challenges and opportunities. Opportunities to help others like they have helped me with things just as simple as the willingness to listen as they share their pain or as complex as helping someone sell their home and move away. My family has been the recipient of so many acts of kindness during this past year and I urge you to continue this tradition to those less fortunate than yourselves. You will be amazed how great it will make you feel to offer your time and services to someone in need. I still have a long road ahead and I anticipate at least 3 more surgeries for my hands starting with the first in October. I dont look forward to these surgeries which will most likely put me out of commission for another 6 months or more, but I do look forward to the relief from then pain they may offer and hopefully enhanced functionality for my hands. I would be a liar if I said that I was not bitter towards the people who did this, but I also accept that this is the only life I will get and that I received a second chance where many people did not. I am thankful to be alive by Gods graces and I realize that harboring hatred serves no purpose in my recovery. I want my life back and I intend to get it. What lay ahead no one can predict. To tell you that something like this can never happen again would be untrue. However, you have seen with your own eyes the response of our nation and the world to this outrage and if any country can rise to meet this challenge it is the United States. I also realize that I cannot do everything alone and maybe you cannot do it alone either. Therefore I urge any and all of you who are still suffering in the aftermath of 9-11 to seek some help if you feel you need it. This help came come from talking with your family and/or even your friends. The professional guidance counselors here at school and other outside organizations such as Project Liberty are also there for your support. I was young once myself and I know how stubborn I was and how important it was to put on the appearance of invincibility. But when you hurt, just know that you are not alone and there is help available, so dont be embarrassed to need or accept it. In closing, I need to stress that the only lasting thing that these cowards managed to accomplished a year ago today, was to strengthen the resolve of the American people and the world. Part of this resolve is the importance of the role that our families and friends play in our lives. Honor your family like you honor the flag of your country and there will be no enemy that can defeat you. I want to thank the Bay Shore School District for the privilege of allowing me to speak before you this day. I would also like to express my love to my wife, family, friends and strangers for all of their understanding, love and support during this most challenging time in my life. Thank You and God Bless America Ken Summers 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? My American Flag will ALWAYS fly proudly. As a country, we may not always do the right thing, but I really believe that in our hearts we are really a country with a conscience that cares about those in trouble. If we are not willing to assist (like the French) than who else will step in to do the dirty work. We did it in WWI, WWII, Korea & Vietnam and will continue as long as there is breath in us. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah6382.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. 2003-12-17 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.132.220.21 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I woke up the morning of September 11, 2001, turned on the TV to watch the local news. What I saw was unfathomable, it couldn't be happening on American soil. I woke my husband and said to him "we are under attack". The images I saw will forever be imbedded in my memory, the tears never ending for the souls lost that day. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I am a Canadian citizen, my husband and children are Americans. I have never been more proud to have American Citizens as my spouse, and as my children. Our flag (American) has flown every day since Sept 11th, and will continue to do so, with pride. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah4327.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. 12.229.101.34 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I will never forget that dreadful day. I am a teaching assistant in kindergarten at Locust Grove Elementary in Locust Grove, Georgia. Someone came into my room and quietly told me that an airplane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. I left the room immediately and called my daughter in law and she confirmed the horrible truth. I noticed some teachers gathering in the library engrossed in the television and joined them. I was horrified! This could not be happening to the country that we Americans love so very much. The principal came around to all the rooms and ask us not to turn on the television....and told us that we could view the news in the library. I could not wait until I got home that afternoon. I stayed up late that night and found trouble leaving the room in fear that I would miss something on television. I did not want to go to school that morning because I knew that we would not be allowed to watch the television. I caught myself going to the library, which was the only place we were allowed to watch the television, quite often. I can only imagine how the people of New York must have felt...being there. My prayers are still with them. I think of that dreadful day that chaned our lives every day. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, my life has changed very much so. I have always been proud to be an American but that next day I bought a flag and put it on my car and I also have a bumper sticker. My son, Jason, daughter in law, Adrianne and my two year old grandson, Dalton and I visited New York shortly after the September 11 tragedy and went to Ground Zero. We must have cried for what seemed like hours. I could not believe what we saw. The pictures on the television were horrible but viewing the scene was unreal. Yes, my life has changed and all for the better due to this terrible crime against the United States of America. I am even more proud to be living in this wonderful county. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I want everyone to remember the people whose lives were lost on that day. I want everyone to remember that we are a strong nation and we will forever be the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA......the land of the free and the home of the BRAVE. 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 an American flag and bumper sticker on my car. It has been on their since September 12.....and it will be on their until it falls off or it is replaced with a new one and at that time I will keep the old one in a safe place for my grandson to keep. Have my feeling for the American flag changed as a result of September 11? Yes, now I am even more proud to be an American and the American flag is even more beautiful today than it was September 11. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah5449.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-02-27 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 205.188.208.71 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. September 11, 2001 started out as a normal day for me. After hearing about the attacks that Tuesday morning, I did not now what to feel. I was shocked and angry at the same time. I wanted to hunt down and find the people who had committed this crime. After watching the vidio tapes of the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon over and over again, I began to realize that this was real. It was not a dream. It is still hard for me to completely grasp the great deal of crisis our country went through that day. So many people lost their lives, yet so many heroes were formed. I will never forget coming home and crying at the thought of what had happened. Today, three-hundred sixty-five days after the one day that changed our lives, I still have the same emotions that I felt when I first understood what had happened. My family still has flags in our house and we still pray for the people who lost loved ones. The people behind this horrible act aginst our people tried to bring us down. They tried to make us look weak and divide our people and all that we have worked hard for over the years. But did they? No. IF anything, they brought us together. Now we can stand proud and say that we did not fall apart at the time that we were vulnerable the most. We came together and we are fighting back. We will not be humiliated. Instead, we will move on. Americans can not let terrorists stop us from living. We now have to work together and re-establish the freedom and respect that we once took pride in. Let's roll. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. After September 11, 2001, my life changed a lot. The attacks affected my perception on life. I have been forced to open my eyes and cherish every special moment that comes along. I now have more respect for our leaders and heroes than I did before. I have also become more involved in knowing what is happening with our country. There was a period of time after the attacks that the only thing I could watch on television was the news. I have grown to take advantage of the news. September 11th also made me thankful. I am thankful to be an American. After seeing what kind of lives some people live in foreign countries I am more aware of just how great our country is. I do not think I will ever be able to look at a flag the same way. Before the terrorist attacks I would say the pledge everyday and not even know the words that came out of my mouth. Now, I mean the words when I say them. Before, I would wave a flag on the Fourth of July because that is what everyone else did. Now, I hold my flag with pride. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to see reality. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? People should remember the heroes. On September 10th, you might have seen a firefighter walking down the street and thought nothing of him. Firefighters are now a national symbol of what happened. Normal people that weren't anything special, evolved to be the building blocks of new ways. When looking back, Americans should remember the many civilions that helped save lives and in the process may have lost their own lives. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3999.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. I saw everything happen on tv. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. not really because im happy none of my family was in the accident but i do feel bad for the people thet did have people in the tragedy. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? All of the people that died in the accident and make it a national holiday. 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. no my feelings have not changed abut 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 nmah3148.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