80 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 will always remember walking into my parents room, and just like usual, my dad was getting ready for work. He had the news on, and I saw the towers with tapes of airplanes flying into them. Then later, watching the towers fall horrified me. Over 3,000 innocent people had died that day just because of some horrible selfish people. Then, when I learned that it was worse (more people had died) than Pearl Harbor, I didn't know what to think, or do. That tragic day I will always remember 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 my life has changed. I appreciate each day more because you never know how randomly these types of things can happen. I also think our whole nation has come together to support and care for each other. Views of a lot of things have changed for me, and I will ALWAYS remember. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Everything. All of the detail's are so important that the world needs to know and remember. NOTHING should be left out. 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, at my house we had our flag up for weeks. My feelings about the flag have changed because now it's so important to me. I just saw it as a symbol for our nation before September 11th. Now, I think it represents emotions, freedoms, unitedness, love, and my list could go on and on. 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 nmah4281.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. 205.188.208.134 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, PA House of Representatives, when someone came into the office and said, "Turn on the TV, the WTC has been bombed or something." As the other ladies in the office and I watched we saw the horror of the second plane hitting the building and then the Pentagon. We were sent home and as I called family just to say "I love you" the reality sunk in as we sat and watched hour after grueling hour when the towers came crashing down. My family and I visit DC often, we pass the Pentagon from time to time, just to look, and that plane hit that spot that we often look at...too close to home, I thought. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. It is difficult to explain to children that you cannot hate everyone that looks different, especially when they are old enough to watch, listen and hear the pain and sadness taking place up and down the east coast. September 11 has taught me to listen to my kids and their questions. It has taught me to take time and care in answering those questions. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That our country has weaknesses. That we need to turn to God and stay with our eyes focused on him, he will help us all through our trials, angers, fears and pain. We should remember that tomorrow could be our last so live each day like it's the last day you will love each person in your life, like it's the last day you'll share a special moment in your life with that special someone. And cherish those moments, steal some quite time each day to reflect with God on your life and ways to live and love better. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, and I wore one. My husband was in the Navy for 4 years...I think that brought it all home after September 11th. I appreciate those colors, ONE NATION UNDER GOD means something too. 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 nmah731.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 getting ready for school in the morning and after I got out of the shower, my mother was watching this event on the news and she told me about it. Honestly, I thought it was just like any news where it was not a big deal at all but I was wrong. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life hasn't really been effected by this event. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think the things that should be remembered from September 11th include the many soldiers, firefighters, medical people, people who risked their lives to save others, and the innocent people that suffered injuries or death. Another thing that should be remembered is that terrorism is very bad. 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 can't say I did. I don't have one to fly or I would and would've. My feelings about the flag has changed quite a bit. I treat it with more respect now. 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 nmah6622.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. 2004-09-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.79.69.225 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was driving to my school (I'm a third grade teacher, in California), and turned on the radio to listen to a little music. I heard the DJ's talking about the World Trade Center collisions and at first I thought it must be a hoax. I switched stations to National Public Radio and was shocked to hear what was happening. I was numb when I drove into the parking lot, and immediatly called my husband. Time seemed to be passing quickly and slowly as my adrenaline began to race. I thought, "What is going to happen next? What other targets are going to be hit?" and I remeber feeling very insecure about my safety. Next, I worried about what I would tell my eight-year-old students. How would I discuss this tragedy and assure them that they would be safe at school that day? How would I look into their innocent faces and talk about this violent act? NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I am much more worried about the state of the foreign policy of the Unites States. Many times I have lost faith that modern man will ever find it within them selves to move away from acts of violence and revenge. I fear that the U.S. response is only going to complicate our problems and create even more hatred of Americans worldwide. I am troubled, saddened, and I detest the loss of innocent lives on both sides of this conflict. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The most memorable moments from September 11, 2001, were the many instances when humanity aided humanity, even in the face of a shocking tradegy. We chose to let go of hatred based on ethnicity, religion, and country of origin. The response of the nation and the world showed that hate does not have to beget hate. The world's reponse to this catastophy is a demonstration of what could and should be for humanity. 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 students and I created and displayed American flags in front of our school. At that time, I saw it as a sign of remembrance for those that had perished on September 11th. Since that time, I feel that many people see the American flag as a sign of support for the war in Afganistan. I do not support any acts of violence, by anyone, therefore, I currently do not have a flag on my house or car. It's strange how the meaning of our flag changed so significantly in such a short period of time. It is sad for me to choose not to display the flag for this reason. 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 nmah701.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. 4.46.142.14 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. On September 11, 2001, i was at school . I didn't know about the attacks until about an hour or two after they happend. I was in first hour, when a teacher came in from another class room and told my english teacher about it. My english teacher told us what happened.SHe only knew about one plane hitting the First tower though. I didn't real think much of it becuase i hadn't seen how bad it was and didn't know everything that was going on. Then when I went out in the hallway I heard people talking about it and thought that it must be really serious. When i went to second hour and we didn't watch the T.V. Then I went to art. The teacher had the T.V. turned on and I saw another plane had hit the south tower and a plane had hit the pentagon. I felt really scared. I was hoping that nothing bad would happen for a long time after this. In my fourth hour class we were watching the T.V. and they were talking about who they thought had done it when the lady said that she had an important announcment and that a plane had crashed in a field 80 miles south of philadelphia. That made me really scared because I thought they were just crashing planes in random fields now. We basically watched the news for the rest of they day. When I went home I watched it with my parents. It was making me scared so my sister and I went on a walk to the gas station. There was a ton of cars there, that made me scared because I thought that we were going to run out or resources like water, gasoline, and food. When I tried to go to bed that night i couldn't sleep because I thought something was going to hit my house. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has changed alot. I don't mean in a way like I'll never fly again or I'll never go to New York. I probably will. My life has changed because people that my aunt worked with were in those towers. I knew some of those people. It made me sad to think that innocent people can die because of someone else's hate for us. I know I'll be more careful about things, I'll pay more attention to what is going on around. I wont get as mad at people be cause you never know when something like this is going to happen. I know I will never make jokes about serious things like that anymore, because i used to all the time. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think lots of thing should be remembered about september 11th. Most of all I think we should remember how it brought america together. We should remember all the people that died but not that they died victims to a terrorist attack, but how happy they made their family. 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 were going to fly a flag but we couldn't find one. My feelings about the falg changed because instead of seeing a flag and thinking that they were in the Navy or something, now I think that they are showing respect to our country. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3579.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. 205.221.2.176 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 sleeping in social studies in my old school, IC, when the attcaks happened. The rest of the day went like normal though, because my teacher never told us about the attacks. My class sort of yelled at her the next day. I didn't find out about find out until I was walking home behind my neighbors who were talking about why the plane crashed. I had no idea what they were talking about until I reached my house. When I stepped in the door, I saw my parents watching CNN on the computer. The sound was a little staticy, so at first I thought the reporter had said "The world blew up", when she had really said "The World Trade Centers blew up." I didnt really think much of the event until my mom was crying because her parents had gone there that morning. I had to comfort her until they called, they had been caught in traffic and turned back when they heard the news. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life hasn't changed too much from the old way, however, I have been talking alot more about terrorism, Iraq, Bin Laden, etc. The biggest change is probably all the new assignments about this. I take that back, the biggest change is I've realized howmuch I hate patriotism. Patriotism is nol onger the splendid joy of pride in ones country. It's now just a cold reminder of how many perople must die for anyone to give any notice. For example, all American flags sold out shortly after 9/11. If anyone had any real patriotism, those flags would have sold out long before 9/11, when there was no other reason than to have pride in one's country. After 9/11, those flags were bought just to say " I skipped work to watch 4000 people die!" NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember all those who have died in our nation's name, not just the victims of the attack. We should remember the colonist who fought for our freedom, the soldiers who fought in the civil war to keep us unified, for the soldier in both world wars, for those who were killed for their politial beleifs, for those who have died in 9/11, the 1992 bombing, Pearl Harbor, and all the other attrocities that have occured, we should remember not the event, but 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? 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 nmah5234.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. 2002-10-17 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.60.58.139 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 in Orange County, CA. I was on the freeway and heard the news on the radio. I thought it was an unfortunate accident, an airplane hitting the tower. Then we heard about a possible terrorist attack - then the second tower was hit. My thoughts flew everywhere - the kids shouldn't go to school - the wife shouldn't go to work - pull back and protect. They were still sleeping at home. I left a message on the home answering machine telling my wife to turn the news on and gauge whether the she should go to work or stay home with the kids. I called my coworkers and advised those that would be driving along airport flight lines or long freeway commutes to stay home and telecommute. It wasn't until I got to work that I realized I worked in a tower within a mile of the John Wayne Airport & could be a potential target! I don't think I have ever scanned the sky harder. We were all working to locate our employees, many of whom were on the road and would be trapped due to canceled flights. Our core executive team was on the ground in NYC, but by the grace of God had elected not to have breakfast at the WTC that morning - it was on their schedules!!! By the time my family got up, we had more info and all planes had been grounded. They carried on with their schedules. It was probably better for the kids to be with their peers and experience the loss and pain with others of there age. When I picked the kids up from school, they asked if I had heard what had happened. I told them that everybody in the world knew what was going on. They didn't talk much about it. It was something bad, and it was not happening here - on with life. I was angry at this. I wanted the kids to see what a terrible thing had happended. That lives had been lost. I wanted them never to forget this day - these events. I also wanted to switch the TV off and shield them from this. They had no business seeing bodies falling from the Towers. Dinner had no taste and I couldn't see through my tears. It was a simply a horrible, terrible, soul wrenching day. That night I could not sleep. I just watched the news over and over again. I watched for news that we had retaliated - that we had found the group / country responsible and had struck hard! I kept waiting for that Special Report. I wanted to hear it, to see it, I wanted this very badly. In the days that followed, my coworkers and I got back into our routines. But we did spend every lunch time at the red cross until all of us gave blood. We connected our business video-conference unit to the "Video Relief" project. We donated our airmiles, loyalty club points, money - anything to be a part of the relief. Every opportunity to be a part of something was taken. It still feels like we could not do enough! Survivor's guilt? Now that I look back on it - No, we were simply being true Americans. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I have to double check my luggage when traveling - that innocuous screwdriver for PC repairs is suddnly a weapon for terrorists. We need to alot more time when going to the airport. I am used to seeing the national guard in the aiports. Camoflauge on the escalator is now the norm - but at least they are wearing the American flag on their shoulders. In the weeks after the 11th, it felt like a big machine was moving - that we as Americans could accomplish anything. During those weeks, we could have balanced the budget, cleaned up the environment, saved our educational systems - anything was possible after the impossible had happened. We were one - and everyone's pain and problems were ours that we could solve together. I miss the feeling of unification in our country. That has abided, but you can feel just under the surface. I kiss my wife goodbye and tell her I love her - every morning. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The blessings that God has already given this country. The men and women that make America what it is. The re-unification of our 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 have always flown our flag on the prescribed holidays. I am an Eagle Scout and never more proud of the upbringing and skills the Scouting program instilled in me. Our flag has not come down since the 11th. My wife did not even argue with me when I installed a light for night time. We are the only ones on our block to still fly the flag. It will never come down again. 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 nmah936.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. 2002-09-04 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 65.240.65.201 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 just like any other day. I was excited because it just so happen that September 11 was my brother and sister's birthday. I almost piced up the phone to call them when I was interrupted by a co-worker. She said that planes had just crashed into the world trade center. We walked into a conference room where several people had already gathered. The television was tuned to the television news. We all stood in disbelief as we watched play backs of the planes crashing into those huge buildings. I left the room for my desk and made phone calls to my family to make sure they were ok. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I don't take any day for granted. And now my sister's and brother's birthday is not only a happy day but sad. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The world should remember that no country is safe from terrorism. We should remember the men, and women that lost their lifes in that horrible day. We should remember the men, and women that did everything possible to look for and saved lifes at ground zero. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, I had a flag at work, at my house and in my car. I feel more proud to be an American. I would stand up and fight for my country and back up my fellow Americans. Not because of the attacks but to the courage everyone showed afterward and still over seas. 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 nmah6547.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. 2004-06-25 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 63.64.228.140 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 (I'm a dental hygienist) when I got a phone call from my husband that a plane had just crashed into the WTC building. I remember that I pictured in my mind a small aircraft, maybe the pilot had a heart attack. I told the people I worked with what had happened. Then my husband called back, he said a second airplane had crashed into the other tower. There was an eerie feeling through out my office after that. No news was being broadcast over our small local radio station. I couldn't stand not knowing what was going on. Finally the news started to be broadcast. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It felt so odd to continue seeing patients. A mother brought her son in for a cleaning. The son said his Dad worked in the Trade Center, his Mom was in the waiting room, when I asked if he was alright she said she was still waiting to hear from him. 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 forever. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That at one of our saddest hours we came together as a nation. We have more real life Superheros in those that tried to save others. I hope that is what will be remembered. It is a great thing for our children to see and learn. 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 was wonderful to look around and physically see everyone showing that they care. I don't pass a flag without noticing it anymore. It may be that there aren't more flags flying now than there were before, but I SEE them more now. When I do, I can't help but remember. 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 nmah612.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. 204.186.142.86 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was at work in the break room at the time the first announcement came on the radio. I could not believe it when I heard that a plane fly into the trade center then I listen in horror as the announcer said a second plane just crashed into the building. My first thought was Oh my God Terriosit act?? NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I am more aware of what is going on in the world. and I am fearful of what will happen next. I also am nicer to the people I meet and my family....I have much more love for everyone and do not take anything for granted anymore. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that we should all remember the true heros who helped and all the voulenteers who spent countless hours at the seen. 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 do not own a flag but i do have a 2 window clings one on my door and one on my car. I am more proud than ever when I see our flag ... to the point that i have tears in my eyes when ever i see one. I never gave our flag much thought befor but now i am constantly aware of what it symbolizes..and how we fought for 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 nmah377.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-22 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 172.169.193.19 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 a hotel room in Sharonville, Ohio. I was in Ohio with my husband and two small children, because my mother had died the day before on September 10, 2001. We were getting ourselves in order that morning to head out and work on funeral arrangements. It was already a very sad day. My husband called me into the living area of our hotel suite when he saw the fire of Tower 1. He had just been flipping through the stations with the remote, when he saw a bldg he recognized on fire. I immediately got on the phone to my mother-in-law in Northern VA (20 miles from the Pentagon) to tell her to turn on her TV. While on the phone with her we watched the second Tower being hit. My whole family including two small boys were shocked, terrified, dismayed as we watched. Then the news came across somewhere in there about the Pentagon. My mother-in-law quickly got on the road and headed to Ohio. My husband and I have been to NYC before, so it was so devastating to see a place that we enjoyed so much being torn apart in such away. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life changed in so many ways. One was business related. I am a travel agent, and like all of those in the travel industry making ends meet was nearly impossible for the next few months. I have always sold a lot of NYC packages, but to help boost the economy and especially that in NYC, I increased my advertising and sales of packages to Broadway and NYC. On a personal level, I am nervous in large bldgs, everytime I am in an airport (which is frequent as a travel agent), I am watching those around me. I have heightened my level of awareness you can say. On a deeper level I am still in shock by what has happened. I don't know where to begin to express my feelings for what happened. How to explain the horror and tragedy to my children. Its like ripping away their innocence. It changed my husband's life, as he went to work on a project called the First Repsonder, a utility command vehicle to help in disaster situations. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That it did happen. It wasn't a dream or some made up story. It seems so horrific that it can't possibly be real, but that it was. That so many people lost their lives, that two monumental bldgs are no longer there, that not only those in NYC were affected, but that lives around the world were affected. So many different nationalties, races, religions, and cultures live and visit NYC every day. That day a bit of the world died. That the USA was turned upside down, but yet banded together. That the Fire and Police Departments, strangers, and citizens pulled together to rescue and help in the tragedy. There are just so many things to list to be remembered. Simply, everything should be remembered. The photos, the tears, the astonishment, the horror, the innocence stolen, the war that began, the flowers and memorials, the changes in the travel industry, the extreme blow to the economy, and so on. September 11 may have been the day of the attack, the beginning to so many ends, the beginning to changes, but it was just the beginning of the pain and the heartache. The days and months and now than more than a year later, it continues to live in our memories, so vividly like it just happened a few moments ago. We are still grieving as a country and nation, and as the world. Will the grieving ever end? Did it ever end for those who lived through Pearl Harbor? Does it ever end for the families that are forever changed? It will go on for a long time to come. All of that must be remembered as well. 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 ours. I have always admired the flag as a symbol our nation. Yes, that love for the flag, for what it stands for, has deepend considerably. 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 nmah5355.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. 2003-01-03 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 12.237.205.131 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. On September 11, 2001, I woke up to find my mom staring in shock at the TV. There was a tall building, smoke pouring out of it as the words "LIVE - Breaking News" flashed across the screen. My mom explained to me that a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. I had heard of the World Trade Center before, but at the time, I really didn't have any idea what it was. As I watched the story continue to unfold, a second plane suddenly appeared and crashed into the second building. I couldn't believe what was happening. It obviously wasn't an accident, but why would someone do something like this to our country? Then, the unbelievable happened as in turn, both towers crumbled, and fell. The pictures of New York seemed solemn, almost eerie - images of a city shrouded in thick, black smoke. During the following weeks, I learned more and more about what had happened. What really made an impression on me, however, was listening to the heart wrenching cell phone calls of people who were trapped, telling their families that they loved them, one last time. Not only were these recordings painful to listen to, but watching as some chose jumping from hundreds of stories rather than burn was awful. But from these horrible circumstances, amazing stories of bravery and heroes arose. All the great firemen who willingly risked their lives to help others, and some unknown heroes, who helped in simple, but significant ways, like giving up their place on the elevator for someone else. Then, there were the brave passengers on one of the planes who stood up to the terrorists and caused them to miss their fourth target. I don't know that I would have had the courage to do the same. Although I may not have understood everything that was going on at the time, I did know that someone had planned this with the intent of hurting innocent people and destroying symbols of our country's prosperity in order to weaken our country. All I could think was why? NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I guess witnessing September 11th made me more grateful for this great country that I live in and all the freedoms we enjoy. I think it also made me appreciate life more, because so many were lost that day. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? When some people think of September 11th, all they can think of is getting revenge on those responsible for this tragedy. Although I too wanted justice, what I really think should be preserved in our memories from this day in history are the people who died, the many heroes that arose, and how people put aside their differences to unite and our nation truly became one in the face of great adversity. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? My family flew an American flag outside our house after September 11th. The American flag has come to mean more to me as a symbol of our country and freedoms because after all that happened on September 11th, the American flag was everywhere. It was almost a sign of comfort for me, that our nation was still standing, and that we would survive. 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 nmah6801.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2004-09-14 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 4.232.9.180 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 third period and I heard an announcement about a plane crashing in to the twin towers. At first i really didn't understand what was going on because they didn't telll us everything. They didnt say it could have been a terrorist attack or that maybe it was an accident, they just said there was a plane crash, which really leftr me confused. They had announcements about the crashes in 2nd, 3rd, and 9th period. So when I got home I found out about everything that happened. That these were possible suicide attacks from terrorists from the Middle East. After all that I learned when I got home changed my perspectives on a lot of things. It also scared me that people would do this to other innocent people. It made uneasy and unsafe. I mean things aren't good if you are scared to be at your house. Lter on that day my dad and I were driving past my high school and people were outside having riots in front of my school. There was a blue truck that safid honk if you love America. There were kids and adults running around with flags and signs. It seemed very different and i this is how i had known that America had changed. Their were even more people protesting by my house, because i lived close to a mosk. All of this was very chaotic there were police from every town around us there, and their were news crews and everything. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has changed since September 11, because I believe everybody has a right to freedom, and that day freedom had changed. The people in that building didn't have freedom to do their job. The people in the plane didnt have a freedom to use transportation. The people in the streets of New York City didnt have the freedom to walk down those streets without harm. If they think they are going to change America's standards they are wrong, because not unitil that day had i realized how tight of a bond America has. Just to think Hundred of police men and firefighters gave up theri lives trying to save a strangers life, makes me think about how big of hearts those people had. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Everyone, everyone wasa hurt in one way or another. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? yes and no 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 nmah3334.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 awoke that day only to see the horrible events taking place on television. When I first started watching, only one of the towers had been hit. Then while the television station was broadcasting, out of nowhere a second plane came into view and crashed into the other tower. I will never forget how that looked. I also remember seeing some people actually jump of the building in hope to withstand the fall. What a will they had to live. All I could think about that day were all the poor people who had lost a loved one or those who had lost their own life. I'd never felt so helpless in my life till that day, the only thing I was able to do was pray. Pray that God would somehow watch over all of us. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The way our nation pulled together in such a time of disarray. 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 nmah3052.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. 198.81.21.54 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 going to work over the Tappan Zee Bridge, when I looked to the right towards NYC and saw a thick column of black smoke. I was listening to WPLJ and the radio with Scott and Todd and I remember they broke the news that the tower was hit. There was so much confusion. I remember most a woman who called from the other tower to report what she was seeing; the DJ's told her they were thankful for the report, but suggested that maybe she needed to evacuate the building. She replied,: well, the loudspeakers are telling us to stay where we are and that we are okay." Then the second plane hit. I will always wonder if that woman made it out alive. That day I had my cousin working in one of the towers, and my boyfriend in the city with all cell phones down. Both were okay; my cousin never even made it into work due to a late bus. I did, however, lose a very good friend, Officer John D. Levi, of the Port Authority Police Department. I miss him so much. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Of couse it has. I am fearful of our future and for the future of my ten year old daughter. I learned that no where is safe after that day. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember that life goes on, and so we should live it to the fullest. Focus on the living instead of the dead. If nothing else, that should be the lesson of 9-11. 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. Before this, I didnt beleive in the flag, and I never stood at any public event that played the national anthem. Now, I stand...and I feel 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 nmah6768.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. 2004-09-13 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 205.188.117.15 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I witnessed history on September 11, 2001 in my Leadership class. Our class watched this tragic event on television. We were stunned to see what had happened to the World Trade Center earlier that morning. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has changed since September 11th because I've realized that terrorism can happen anywhere. We shouldn't take so many things for granted, and as a U.S. citizen I should be thanful for our freedom and our rights. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that all of the firemen, policemen, and people that risked their lives should be remembered becuase without them, some people would not have been rescued from the fires. Some people wouldn't have made it out of the World Trade Center at all. Firemen should especially be remembered for their commitment and their courageous acts on September 11, 2001. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, I did fly an American flag after the events of September 11th, and yes, my feelings about the American flag have changed since September 11th. I look at the flag and I realize that we are lucky to live in America, and we should all be proud to live in this 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 nmah621.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-30 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 208.191.87.61 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was sick that day so I watched it on TV by myself. I was shocked of why someone would do that. I was scared of it happening here in Cincinnati. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life hasn't really hasn't. Maybe the first few weeks while it was on TV but it is all back to normal for me now. I think we should live our lives exactly the same as we did before. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember how much we were brought together after it happened. We shouldn't remember the lives that we lost but the strengh we recieved. 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 of the flag are the same. I felt the same way for it before the attacks 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 nmah2101.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-10 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 66.144.8.173 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was on the bus going to school when the radio said something about an airplane hitting a tower. I thought nothing of it until I reached school and every one was in a panic. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I have not really changed for I already was very patriotic and wanted others to be the same. I did however get frightend by the lack of security. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember who did this and how we delt with the little hooligins. 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? Like I said before I had already been patriatic but yes I did carry a flag. I started to look at it with more respect. 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 nmah1054.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-05 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 198.237.72.252 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. My mother called and woke me up to tell me that a plane had crashed into a building in New York. I flipped the tv on to see the first tower burning, and watched with my eyes pealed, trying to figure out what was going on. It looked like it was probably an accident. I was watching the newscasters give their opinions over a live shot of the towers. As one of them was talking a second plane slammed into the second tower. My heart dropped and I realized this had to be an attack. Another newscaster interupted the first to say that he thought he saw the second tower struck by a plane. The feeling overall was of confusion. I never realized just how reassuring the scripted opinions and words of people in the media was until I saw all of that break down into chaos and could see the same confusion and doubt coming from the tv that I felt in my own heart. As the two towers burned I thought, "there is no way they are going to fall. Huge modern buildings. They are designed to take the impact of even the largest commercial jet." To be honest, at this point, the whole thing was a matter of curiosity. Like slowing to watch a car crash. Despite the confusion and doubt, the television still acted as a filter. The thing that was going on would not affect me in any immediate material way. I was safe, as always, on my couch and in my normal everyday life. Then the Pentagon was hit and that filter began to break down. My father called and told me we are at war. I guess he didn't know what else to do. I began wondering what was next and started going over different situations in my mind. I took mental stock of my food supplies and started filling up jugs of water and getting candles out in case the utilities went offline. I know that might sound ridiculous but I really wasn't sure what was going to happen next. When the south tower collapsed, the reality of the situation really hit me. I felt sick. I am not a squeemish person and even watch things like "realtv" and tend to enjoy action and violence in movies and on tv. But this was different. I felt personaly hurt in some way. The live scenes of people running from the falling tower, debris and ash affected me deeply. It was at this point I shed my first tear and the anger began to well up. I live in Pittsburgh so when Flight93 crashed it seemed to me that every city in America must be targeted. On the news they said the USX Tower (in Pittsburgh) was a target. Then the second tower collapsed and now tv as a filter was totaly gone. It was stark reality, and as it set in, I cried more. I wanted to help. It is something how people that lived through the Depression tell you how they felt and you understand but you never quite get it. I know the way I felt is something I will never be able to truely relate to anyone with any real clarity. As the day, afternoon and evening wore on, the scenes changed. No more crashes or attacks. Mixed in with all of the anger and hurt and feeling of helplessness was something I had never truly felt before. I felt a part of America. Not America as a symbol or a set of ideas but rather as a people. Never before had the simple phrase "I am an American" meant more than some political ideas and a comparitively dull glimmer of patriotism. The thing I remember most about sept 11 are all of the people who had missing loved ones standing outside the armory with pictures, begging for information. I never shed so many tears. The most intense feeling was the need to help. What can I do, what can I give? AS crazy as it sounds from someone who lives so far away I felt like I needed to be at ground zero in NYC, I NEEDED to be in there helping to rescue people and find the missing and the dead. I NEEDED to do something. I called the redcross and asked where I could donate blood. They told me that they currently had more donors than they need but asked if they could call me if they needed more. I gladly gave them my number and name. It wasn't enough. Not nearly enough. Things were so much different with the people you see on the streets, immediately following 911. I felt a connection with all of them. Totaly aside from anything you've seen on the news or in the books, there was a sense of unity. The stranger in the street wasn't just another guy or lady, they were Americans, like me. They were affected to. Everyone was alot more kind and helpfull to one another. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, but it is hard to say exactly how. I have always been patriotic, but 911 changed the way I feel about America. It really made me feel that America was so much more than ideas and politics, that America is a people. All in all, it has made me more aware of how my actions might affect strangers, and just because I don't know someone, doesn't mean they don't matter. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? What I think should be remembered about September 11th is that it was the time when America showed its true colors. From the heroic defiance of the passangers of Flight93, to the grave and essential sacrifice of the firefighters and lawenforcement who died at ground zero, to those who worked free of charge in the rubble, to the millions of volunteers offering a helping hand in a time of need and to every one of us being more kind to one another, America showed what it is really all about- beyond all of the politics and ideology, beyond the commercialism and capitalism, we are a loving, caring, brave, defiant and heroic People. More than anything else, what should be remembered about September 11th is that America stood strong and united in the face of hellish catastrophy. 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 still do. Though I have always been a big advocate of the principles behind America and in that sense a patriot, my love of the flag as the symbol of our People has been bolstered a thousand fold and I will fly it every day for the rest of my 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 nmah5637.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. 2003-09-05 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 67.165.65.149 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. How i witnessed history on september 11th was when i was watching televisoion and it came up and it told about the Pentagon and the hijackers who flew the plane into the twin towers and about how many people died on the plane and about how many people worked that day at the World Trade Center some small hildren died in this event because they had a daycare center uncles and aunts, nephews, grandmas, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and close freinds some call it a tragty and others call it a day in history but feel that most of it is just a big mess that could have been avoided and if that had happend it would have saved alot of money$ NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has mostly changed in school because we do asigments in school about it and we do research work on things involve it . We are currently working on slides for our computer class and it will yake weeks for us to be complete and we will have have movies and clips for part of our slides. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I feel that a bad and terible event happend all because of people who don't know how to deal with their problems the right way so they creat more problems by trying to solve one problem is what should rembered most about setember 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? Yes, my family did fly our flag and my feelings didn't change alot because it didn't effect me in a dramatic way on a phyiscal 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 nmah847.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. 67.114.47.197