84 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 witnessed September 11th at about 9:30a.m. in my 1st period class at school.My class was just about to start a lesson when my teacher got called out of the classroom.When she returned from outside of the classroom,she told us that the World Trade Centers had been hit by hijacked airplanes.At that moment I had no idea what my teacher was talking about,but a couple minutes later she took our class to the school's media center and I saw what she was talking about. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that we should remember all of the people that lost their lives,including the firefighters that went into the World Trade Centers to rescue people,and never came 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? 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 nmah1817.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 207.99.16.132 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. well i was in first period english on the morning of the attack. we had had the television on because we were watching a documentary on some old writers. when we turned off the vcr the news was on all channals. we started watching as the first tower was on fire. then after awhile out of nowhere we witness a second plane craching into the second tower of the world trade center. it almost seemed if it was a movie. i guess that is how our youth of today preseves things due to all of the tv and movie violence that we see on a day to day basis. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. well it has brought a awareness of how easy it is to parish from this planet. also the fact that we all could just not wake up tomarrow or get in accident. then to never see the people that we all love and care ever again. it kinda makes you appreciate things that you take for granted on a everyday basis. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? that america and the people that live here are not imortal that we mustent take these things that happen in our lives lightly. 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 didn't fly a flag one thge outside but on the inside my banner of the free world was waving on day in and day out. 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 nmah4899.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. 63.238.205.144 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 lived in New York , but I go to an international boardingschool in Germany ! It was one of those afternoons where I should be doing my Homework , but I didn´t want to ! Suddenly my mother called me and said somthing terrible had happened . I could not belive it ! I started to crie and all my Friend wanted to know what had happened ! To thad time my mother didn´t tell me that my father died in the worldtradecenter ! I could not belive that he was dead as I came home for Christmas ! But somehow I should of noticed ! Why didn´t he call me anymore ? Why didn´t he send me postcards anymore ? ... NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. It has ! Not because of the skyline , because of my father ! It´s so different coming home from boardingschool and only me and mom ... ! I always feel so bad going to boardingschool after every vacation ... I´m so scared . Scared of myself . Scared of leaving mom home alone ! Sometimes I wish I would of been on the wtc that day WITH MY FATHER ! But mom always says life goes on ! Even thow it´s so hard to imagen . It´s getting better with every day ! I hope that just one day I´ll wake up and start a new life ! I have to get out of here . Out of the cage I´ve been kept in for to long ! One day I´m just going to spred my wings and fly away ! I´m going to finish school and study in Boston ! NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that we should remeber all the people , wich died on the 11th september . Even thow they´re so far away , they will always be in our hearts ! We will never forget them ! NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? 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 nmah4960.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. 2002-09-14 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 217.229.195.38 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. It was 10:00AM, we just entered 2nd block. The tv's were on, the teachers were stuck to the tv in awe. It was just like out of a movie. For a second, I thought it was. then I realized, it was real. The first thing that came to mind wasn't hate toward the culprit, but a prayer & love to the families I knew that would be devastated. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, I show more love to my family & freinds & enjoy the good things more. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I don't think we should remember the evil that was brought among us, but that God can bring home anybody at any time. And I want to let the families know that God is holding them with him no matter what. 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 always did & still do. I think more people think of the flag as a symbol of freedom & unity. 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 nmah5379.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. 2003-01-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 168.11.56.10 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 know right where I was when I heard the news. The very first thing I thought was, "Oh my God, I hope my Dad isn't at the Pentagon now." Even though he rarely went there for his job, it was the first thing I thought of. These attacks really did hit everyone personally. Nobody in my chemistry class, where I was at the time, really understood enough about what was happening because our teacher didn't explain it too well, so we would not worry. Other teachers, however, knew and told more to their students. I can remember hearing people crying because so many family members of people in this area work in the Pentagon. I remember one girl who ran out of her class as fast as she could down the hall to find a phone. It was really terrifying because we knew so little. When I got to go home after school, I remember on the bus we all commented on how there were no planes in the sky. My mom gave me a huge hug and kiss when I made it to my house. We couln't reach my dad or my brother because the phone lines were all tied up. By the end of the day though, I knew all my loved ones were safe. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. It has changed because I look at things differently. I worry about flying and that used to be one of my favorite things to do. I have not flown since 9/11. I try to make life count more and make sure the people I love and care about know that they are special to me. It made me think about what I wanted to do with my life. Even though I was only 15 at the time, I wanted to go to Ground Zero and help do something. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that 9/11 should be remembered as a terrible tragedy that brought our nation together. The love everyone felt afterwards and the bonds of freindship that were made will be remembered forever. We should not ever forget the people who died, all of them are important including the innocents on the plane, the workers in the towers and Pentagon, and the caring firefighters and police officers helping out during the chaos. 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. My whole neighborhood did. Someone came around and stuck little American flags in everyone's yard. I could not count teh number of flags I saw just on my street. Some houses had as many as 3 or 4 flags. I did not fully understand the importance or symbolisim a flag has for a nation before 9/11. Now i realize that it is a symbol of unity and devotion to our country. It is a very powerful image. 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 nmah6235.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-09-12 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 208.31.154.100 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I AM A POLICE OFFICER IN NEW JERSEY AND WORKED FROM 10:00 P.M. TO 6:00 A.M. ON SEPTEMBER 10TH INTO THE 11TH. I REMEMBER BEING AWAKENED BY MY WIFE CRYING ABOUT 9:00 A.M. ON THAT HORRIBLE DAY. MY FIRST THOUGHT TO MY WIFE'S SADNESS WAS SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ONE OF MY CHILDREN. WHEN SHE TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED, I WAS STILL HALF ASLEEP AND THOUGHT I WAS DREAMING. I TURNED ON THE TELEVISION AND SOON REALIZED THAT " MY DREAM " WAS ACTUALLY A REALITY AND I WENT OUT TO THE FRONT OF MY HOME AND AT THAT SPLIT SECOND OF OPENING MY FRONT DOOR, A MILITARY JET SOARED OVER MY HOUSE IN NEW JERSEY AND IT BEGAN TO SINK IN THAT THIS WAS NOT A BAD DREAM, BUT A NIGHTMARE ! I WENT TO WORK THAT NIGHT STILL NUMB, BUT ALSO VERY MAD. I MUST HAVE SPENT ABOUT 3 OR 4 HOURS WITH MY PARTNER THAT NIGHT PARKED IN OUR POLICE CAR JUST STARING AT THAT HUGE PLUME OF DARK SMOKE THAT FILLED THE NEW YORK SKYLINE. I ACTUALLY REMEMBER SAYING OUTLOUD A FEW TIMES , " DID THIS REALY HAPPEN . " NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I THINK I NOW REALIZE HOW FANATIC THIS PEOPLE ARE AND THAT WE ARE STILL VULNERABLE TO POSSIBLY ANOTHER ATTACK. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? WE SHOULD NEVER 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? YES I DID. NO MY FEELINGS DID NOT CHANGE ABOUT OUR FLAG, BUT PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN WHY WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF OUR FLAG AND THE REASON IT MEANS SO MUCH TO OTHERS, (VETERANS ) MIGHT NOW UNDERSTAND. 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 nmah6462.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. 2004-03-10 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 151.198.174.194 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 9/11 I walked into my 2nd period history class. My teacher was watching it on T.V. He told us that one of the world trade centers had been hit by a plane. Everyone thoughtit was an accident until the second plane hit the other tower. Then evryone had a feeling it was terrorists. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. The world has been different since then. They check bags and stuff almost everywhere. The radio wasn't aloud to play certain songs. People came together that day to help with whatever they could . Airports got better security. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember how we all came together to help and talk about it. 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 nmah1587.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 207.99.16.132 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was working in San Francisco and getting ready to move to New Orleans. I worked across the Bay Bridge in Emeryville at a web company called Ask Jeeves. I arrived at 6:15 PST to log on and continue a search for employment in New Orleans. My cell phone rang as soon as I logged onto my computer. It was Atara, my girlfriend in New Orleans. "Are you near a TV? Turn on a TV. Two planes have hit the World Trade Centers in New York. It's crazy! Find a TV!" Just then my computer's startup page came on with the news headlines, and the only story under AP Newswire was "Plane hits World Trade Center" and about two sentences of text. Holy shit. I ran through the office turning on every TV I could find, but none of them worked. Finally I went downstairs and found some co-workers gathering and talking. My phone rang, and it was Phil, my co-worker. "Did you see what's happened? The World Trade Centers are hit by two planes, and..." "Yeah, I heard. Trying to find a TV." "Oh my god. One of the World Trade Centers just collapsed." "What do you mean?" "The whole thing just collapsed. Oh my god. Ohhh my god. Jon, I'm not going to come in." "Yeah, doesn't sound like anyone will. Talk later. I'm going to find a TV. Bye. Take care." I found a TV in the 3rd floor kitchen. Two other people were there staring at the TV, which we would all do for the next 30 or 40 minutes. During that time, the other WTC building collapsed. At the time I thought: "Wow. I can't believe they are re-playing the other building collapsing." Just then the announcer said "You are watching live coverage..." and my mind tried to think what was happening in the building to the people. It was impossible to conceive. But I was watching it on TV. A whole huge building falling, with live people in there. I must have cried 20 times that day. It was no time to work or lead others or do anything. The only thing was to think, grieve, listen, and hope. I was afraid for the SF Bay Area bridges and the BART tunnel. Afraid there was some geographical plan to target each coast or each time zone or something. In the coming days we'd save clean water in our fridge in case of massive poisoning, be frightnened and develop theories about smallpox, listen to the sound of no planes in the air, and I'd have dreams of my apartment being invaded. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I quit and moved to New Orleans a couple weeks later. I believe in being more active at work and in my personal life. And I've had my first serious thoughts about politics and protecting the values of the modern world. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That any organization based on hatred and war has never lasted long. Al-Quaeda is based on an opposition to the West, and has no reason to exist on its own. That is why it will not continue in the long term. 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? Living in small apartments, I never had a flag pole. The flag remains a great symbol and hope for the world, but first and foremost represents America to our own citizens. 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 nmah33.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. 2002-06-25 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 204.252.237.25 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 was at school all day and every period (except first period before anything happened and for another period with a dense teacher) we watched the TV, most on CNN and learned about what happened. First heard about it in 2nd period. We were in Mr. Kelly's 9th grade social studies doing our Africa maps (Great Valley High School) when another teacher walked in briskly with a horrified face and whispered something to Mr. Kelly who then replied with a shocked face and said, "Oh God." Then he turned on the TV just in time for the 2nd airplane when we allrealized it was no accident. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My Confederate pride hasen't been diminished but people shame upon it and it's not a good thing. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The history of what happend is what should be remembered. The casualties of 9/11, mostly the dead should be remembered. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? No. I still fly my Confederate battle flag for three reasons. 1. To promote my Confederate heritage. 2. Promoting battle (battle flag) against the terrorists. 3. I will live normally and not change, that's what the terrorists want. 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 nmah4166.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. 68.81.58.100 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. When my wife and I were married in New Zealand in September 2000, she wanted to visit New York and Washington DC. We came in December of that year, and took so many pictures... On the morning of 12-Sep-2001, we awoke much as usual and turned on the TV news. There was nothing in New Zealand about any of the events. The morning news website said "Plane crashses into WTC --- 6 people dead." After I got to work around 7:30AM NZDT (GMT-13), I cruised MSNBC, as usual, and found out what was going on. It was now six hours later, and neither the New Zealand Media nor Government felt the need to inform anyone. The news started to become mainstream about that time. Shortly before 8AM NZDT (GMT-13), the company accountant showed up. The first thing out of her mouth was, "Did you hear what happened? Your dollar is just flattened!" I attempted to correct her callousness by saying, "We don't think like that in the US. We're more worried about the tragic loss of life!" She wouldn't hear it, as she was too busy going off on a tirade about how great the New Zealand economy would benefit. When everyone else showed up at work, no one said anything. I sat, most of the day, shell-shocked, watching the footage. I called my wife, and told her what was going on. After work that afternoon, we listened to the radio on the way home. Callers were absolutely callous. "Yeah, I figure the Yanks brought it on themselves." "Who cares? It doesn't affect us." "Our dollar will be stronger against the bloody greenback." On the evening news, Prime Minister Helen Clark came on to say "So what? It doesn't affect New Zealand, and we have nothing to say. It's a US problem, and we have nothing to do with it." Not a condolence, not a prayer. In the ensuing month, as President Bush asked for the world to stand by America in its time of need, Mrs. Clark proceeded to make crass statements about America attempting to "overpower" everyone with their "crusade." She continuously stated that she would *not* help the US, nor stand beside it, in its fight for terrorism. With her continuous bad-mouthing of the US, her people started to follow. It got to the point that I couldn't even buy a pack of cigarettes without having to listen to minutes and minutes of anti-American drivel. At that point, we made the decision to leave New Zealand as soon as possible. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. With all the Government-sponsored Anti-American sentiment in New Zealand, my wife and I decided to say "To Hell with this place!" and moved back the United States. The thing is, neither of us were afraid of physical violence there ... but people there have no qualms about voicing their baseless opinions about how much they hated us "snotty Yanks." It soon became nearly impossible for me to restrain some rather violent intentions towards the daily purpetrators of what can only be described as Government-sponsored anti-Americanism. When someone walks up to you, for no apparent reason, and calls you a "f#&*ing yank," and asks you "Why don't you just go home?" over and over, it's hard to restrain yourself. My wife and I now have a great life in Washington, DC. We live in a bug-free house, with screen windows and toilets in the bathroom. We have more than four television stations, and an internet connection faster than 128K. People are friendly and helpful, and there's astoundingly less bureaucracy. We can go shopping at 5PM, even on a weekday, and can eat good food again. I took a lot of things for granted before I left the US. It was a shock to realize what low standards so much of the rest of the world lived in. I grew up thinking that most people in the world were basically good. But after being in New Zealand, a supposedly First World nation, it's become very apparent that this was false. Hopefully, the US will get wise to Prime Minister Helen Clark's anti-American rhetoric. 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 nmah5425.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. 2003-02-03 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.119.239.175 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 the mourning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001 I was sitting quitely in Social Studies class when my teacher read aloud something off of the internet. He tried to explain to us that there was a rumor about a plane hitting a building in New York City. He wasn't sure if the rumor was true or not. We discussed the topic a little and then the bell rang. It was time to go to our next class. I was walking down the hallway when I heard a television on. I entered my next class and the television was on. I knew it had to be something about the rumor of the plane in New York City. Like I predicted, it was. This so called rumor was actually turning out to be the real thing. Then out of the corner of the screen I saw another object zooming through the screen. It was another airplane. I was frozen in my shoes. I couldn't believe what was just happening. My teacher was crying along with a few other classmates. Then my terror turned into anger. I was furious! NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has not changed dramatically since September 11, 2001. I flew on an airplane for the first time in June of 2002. I didn't know what to expect. I was sure that there wasn't going to be anything wrong, though. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I believe that the heroic firefighters not only in New York but in Washington and in Pennsylvania should definetly be remembered. How many people would risk there lives to save people in such a hazard as the firefighters on September 11 did? Could you imagine running up a flight of stairs while thousands of people were rushing down them screaming and yelling about how horrible it was up there? 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? Not only did my family fly an American flag after September 11, we flew one before then also. My feelings on the American flag are simple. I believe it stands for the American past, present and future. The American flag could stand for our dignity as a country or our passion for 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 nmah2337.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 at work at the post office on sept 11 2001. my supervisor ran by me and said ,come look at the tv. at first i thought it was an accident that the plane flew into the tower.then when the other tower was hit,our office took on an atmosphere of disbelieve.i kept thinking "is this real". i had to leave to deliver Express mail and as I was walking out i looked at my supervisor and said,"just remember the name osama bin laden". i was not even sure at that time why i said that. but about an hour an a half later when i returned to the office, Jamie, my supervisor said "how did you know, that name is all over the news. I suppose at the time i thought that bin laden could be the only choice for such a massive attack on the U. S. then we had anthrax in the mails, well,you know the rest. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. things are uncertain in general now. not only homeland security but our econemy,unemployment,corporate corruption, the stock market. lots of people are wary of life as we know it unravelling. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? i think we should never forget the enormous loss of life in just that hour span of time.on a beautiful day, normal people going to work, on their way to breakfast, attending a business meeting, doing things we all do everyday. we are still here.they are not. this should teach us to live each and every day to its fullest. to tell and show the people we love , just how important they are to us. to enjoy the beauty of this earth in the smallest ladybug to a rampant lightening storm. its all beautiful, and it can end for each and every one of us in a "new york minute". 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 admit that i did not. i was glad to see such an outpouring of support and unity that i viewed with the flag flying. On I 75 thru dayton, oh. on sept 11 2002 a business on close to dryden rd. had the biggest flag flying at half staff right over the freeway. it was beautiful. 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 nmah4263.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.163.188.168 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I remember Sept. 11, 2001 as a beautiful, warm fall day. The sun was so bright, the sky so blue. I was preparing breakfast for my students when one of their parents called me on the phone and said, "Please turn on CNN news and tell me what you see. I have a client on the phone (she works for a major bank in town) and her office faces The World Trade Center towers and she says thick, black smoke is pouring out of it, she is hysterical and screaming and I can't make her listen to me..." I quickly flipped on the news and all I could say as, "Ohmygod...ohmygod...this is serious!" I don't remember serving breakfast, only watching as the events unfolded. I started getting phone calls from friends/neighbors saying America was being attacked, a plane had gone down in a field, another hit the Pentagon. I got on the phone to my father who is blind and he turned on the TV, and I told him what we were both seeing. He was literally speechless. Then, while I was watching the TV, the second plane came into view and I said to my father, "Oh dear Lord...Dad, a plane is going past the buring tower...I can't imagine what those poor people trying to land at either airport must be thinking at this moment!" and then that plane hit the second tower. I just started crying and my father said, "I am going to hang up now. You need to be with your family and those children." Parents came early and picked their children up, and I remember standing out in my front lawn on that beautiful, beautiful day and saying, "We'll never be the same again. What is going on?" Needless to say, my husband came home early and wanted to re=enlist in the military (he retired in 1995) and we all just sat around the TV and watched and cried. My oldest son, on the morning those towers came down, was on his way to the Navy recruiter building for his final testing to head to boot camp. When it crosses my mind nowadays, I lift up a prayer to all those who were lost, the families they left behind, the rescue squads who fearlessly went forth to do their jobs and who made it home and who didn't,those who were maimed, and for the countless people who worked in the hospitals, churches, served food and drink and donated so many items to help make the search and recovery more tolerable, and to the people who are going through "post traumatic stress" and for those who are helping still with the aftermath of these events, I thank in prayer. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I was afraid to fly as a family unit, and for the first time in 23 years August 2000 I flew with my husband and daughter to New Orleans to see family. Everyone was amazed that I traveled on the same aircraft with them. But now, witnessing what I did that morning, I haven't flown since. I know I am letting those responsible "win" in some way by altering my life this way, but I can't help it. If we can't take a train or drive ourselves, we aren't going. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember the thousands who lost their lives. I think we should remember those families who lost one or more loved ones in the horrific events of that day. And I think we should remember the rescue workers who worked so tirelessly to search and do what had to be done. And to remember that we, as Americans, when it truly counted...stuck together and drew as one to show that we aren't going to take this sitting down and we aren't going to cry and shake our heads but stand strong together. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I became a US Citizen April 1982. I've lived here since 1964. I've always been taught to stop and be still when the National Anthem is played and to put my hand over my heart and be quiet. I love the American Flag and fly it all the time. It makes me sad that kids today have not been taught to respect it. My two sons (being raised military of couse) always knew when a flag went by, they stopped and took their caps off. When the National Anthem is played at ball games, etc. they stand at attention. My two boys even stood up during the National Anthem in our own living room when we had company for the World Series, and it made me proud. Nothing has changed my feelings for the flag. It's always been strong and unwavering. 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 nmah6407.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. 2004-01-17 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 68.82.66.233 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I heard about the attack at work. At first I thought it had to be an accident or a mistake. When I learned that it was, in fact, an attack I cried. Then I called my son, who's stationed in Germany in the Army. 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? That some people hate enough to kill innocent 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 flew a flag. I am now more aware of what it means to be able to fly that flag and the freedoms it represents. Freedoms we take for granted every day. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah5322.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. 2002-12-05 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 12.90.21.128 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 9/11 i was in Math class. My math teacher was really strict and would never put the news on but that day she did. I Knew something was wrong as i saw the Tower smoking. I Saw the next plane hit and then later i saw the video of the pentagon. After that i saw the worst part. i saw The two towers fall. One fell and then about 15 minutes later the other fell. The air was filled with smoke and dust and when the smoke cleared, They were gone. I later heard that the last plane crashed over pennsylvania and that all of the hijacked planes were crashed. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, my life has changed.Everyones life has changed. It has changed in many ways. People have been scared to go on planes and to travel but that was the least signifigant. The major way people changed was when they became more patriotic, more proud of their country. I think every house had a flag hanging somewhere around it that day and for months after that. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that the peopel who lost their lives should be remembered. As tragic as it was, They will keep the thought of revenge and hate for the people that did this fresh in our minds. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, I flew an American flag after that. The flag hasn't changed in any way. It still means what it did before, except that the feelings about it have been renewed. Everyone sees the flag now the same way that our forefathers saw it, a symbol of ongoing freedom, a symbol of the lives lost, a symbol of integrity. 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 nmah6309.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. 2003-09-26 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 66.189.17.168 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. Somehow, being on the other side of the country in Seattle when the planes hit did not diminish the impact on me and everyone around me. I woke up to hear the news on NPR and wondered if it was some "War of the Worlds" awful radio joke. Then I drove into work (by horrible coincidence at the World Trade Center in Seattle). One of my colleagues had a TV in his office and as I walked in to talk about what was happening, we saw the second plane hit. We felt sick and scared and slightly guilty - well, maybe that came later as we realized we were safe and no one's target. My father and my husband called to make sure I was okay and to tell me to go home - it was time to circle the wagons. I did go home, feeling ill and shocked, and spent the day alternately trying to concentrate on my work to block out the events and diving in to gather as much information as I could stand. At the end of the day I was worn out, like everyone around me, and not sure what I felt or what I should feel. It seemed so personal and yet it was 3000 miles away. Sadness, shock, outrage, guilt - seems there should be a good long German word for that mix of emotions - I have carried them around all year in the back of my heart. 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 nmah3700.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. 12.224.139.86 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 only in the 9th grade at the time. I remember it was right after lunch at around 11 a.m., my teacher came in and said that the world trade center had been struck by a plane, but everyone was OK. Later that afternoon an announcement came over the intercom that my soccer game had been canceled. I called my mother and father steaming mad that my game had been canceled. I couldn't get a hold of my mother right away, but when my dad picked up he said, "Nicole, I think World War 3 just started!" I remember, I dropped the phone in a state of shock. I ran into my school's main office where they were showing pictures of what had taken place. I just sat there with tears in my eyes woundering why my teacher never told us the truth. 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. I never really was strongly patriotic. But since then I have learned to respect the colors. Some of my family members knew people who were killed in the attack and my mothers vic president was Tom Burnett, one of the men who fought the terriost on flight 93. My cousin got married 6 months after in New York and their priest was suppose to be Chaplain Mychal Judge. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? September 11th should be remembered not by the cowardly acts of terrorism by men who had to sacrificed thousands of innocent civilians, but by the courage of the men, woman and children who walked from the rubble, never gave up hope of finding their loved ones and never lost sight of who they really are; Americans! 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? After September 11th, my house was surrounded by American flags. When I drove by people who had flags on their cars, I would beep and wave. My feelings about the American Flag is that it should be respected. When the national anthem is sung, everyone is to be in complete silence and salute it. When reciting the 'Pledge of Allegence', put one hand over your heart. Never let the flag touch the ground, for it has far to much power for it to ever touch the dirt. And to never look at the flag in disgust, and if you do, then you are not a true 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 nmah6548.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. 2004-06-27 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.147.8.121 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. During scool while in 3rd period while reading over some leftover homework. The intercom kept going on and off then finally Mr.Thacker got on and said turn on the tv's right now and do it first. So we did and we were watching the t.v for about 20min then our teacher was getting mad so she turned it off and our whole classroom was talking about it. The reason she turned it off because she was a social studies teacher. So we waited for the bell to ring so we could go to lunch. Before we left the building everyone got a paper talking about the accident. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. No, my life hasnt changed it has been the same since then. I went to New York on the thangivings week to see the Macys parade. The on our third day we went to see the twin Towers and took pics. I'll just think has if it was the day 9/11 but I will think things different then what i did but otherwise no. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that everyone should care because New York is a part of the U.S and it shouldn't be forgotten. It is like Labor Day and all the other old people didn't forget that so we won't forget that. 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 for a long a long time. No we are doing it again to restart the tradtion over 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 nmah2356.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. An Angel Touched Me on September 11th © Susan M. Bedell (9/11/01) 21 Deer Trail Point Wharton, NJ 07885 973 663 2019 On September 11, 2001, amidst the horror that was painting our TV screens and the growing death cloud on our eastern horizon, I went to Saint Clare's Hospital in Denville NJ for a simple, scheduled test. Everyone there was stunned but they were working with even more determination as St. Clares Hospital had been designated to receive post-trauma patients from the World Trade Center Rescue Operation. I walked out of the testing area and found myself facing the Chapel. I was overwhelmed with the impulse to go to the Spiritual Service Office and sign up to be a Eucharistic Minister at the hospital. I went in, told the Deacon that I was a Eucharistic Minister with hospital experience but that I had not been active in the field since I relocated to the area years ago. After my papers were submitted and checked out, I started making regular weekly rounds 2 days a week. During my first week on duty as a Eucharistic Minister at Saint Clares Hospital, I found out that another Eucharistic Minister, Marge Benson, had been killed in the World Trade Center at seemingly the same moment that I was drawn to take her place as a Spiritual Services Volunteer on her rounds. I believe in miracles. I never met Marge Benson, although she was about my age and lived nearby, but she will always be a very special part of my life. I pray for her and for all those who perished in the Twin Towers, at the Pentagon and sacrificing themselves on Flight 93 so that hundreds or perhaps even thousands of others might live. On September 11, 2001, among the terror, the tears, the horror and the hope of rescuing survivors that would never be found, I was touched by an Angel as she and thousands of other innocents rose above the flames into Paradise. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. On the Beach at Lake Shawnee, NJ © Susan M. Bedell (9/17/01) 21 Deer Trail Point Wharton, NJ 07885 973 663 2019 The minister asked us to pray with our eyes open. I stood there drifting in and out of the daze that had enveloped me from the moment that made for TV acts of terror had invaded the worlds living rooms. Planes filled with innocents crashed over and over into skyscrapers in New York, an oddly shaped structure in Washington, DC and a field in Pennsylvania. The world sat helpless in front of TVs and computer screens absorbing the blows of hatred from every camera angle on which the lens could focus. Minutes evolved into hours, into days, into a pattern of caution that everyone knew would reshape the ordinary events of living. The shinning Big Apple was now the smoldering Ground Zero. But, the terrorists had missed their mark. The minds, hearts and souls of the nation did not disintegrate with the infernos, instead they were fused together into a raging roar of patriotism and determination that was, One Nation, Under God, Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All. These are the words we muttered September 16th at 7 PM on the beach of Lake Shawnee, New Jersey. A group of our youngest citizens acted as symbols of freedom as we pledged allegiance to the tiny flags they held with arms of steel. Then, with eyes wide open we prayed for fallen comrades, our fellow Americans in the planes, in the towers, in the pentagon, in the field. We asked Gods blessings on the men and women now putting their lives in harms way as they wore the uniforms of Firefighters, Police Officers, EMS Workers and Volunteers. We held candles and small flags and listened to songs sung through tears. The awkwardness of our small community service vanished with the setting sun. The voices grew stronger. The tears flowed unashamedly. As we sang the National Anthem, three children emerged from the crowd, walked to the center of the beachfront and released red balloons as we sang, the bombs bursting in air. I watched them rise into the night and thought that no firework display put on for the 4th of July would ever again inspire me the way those three red balloons did that evening as I huddled with my friends and neighbors on the beach of Lake Shawnee in the mountains of New Jersey. None of us knew what tomorrow would bring, but all of us felt stronger knowing that we would go through it together. We planted our candles in the sand like seeds of hope fighting to survive through the dark times that surely were to come. We hugged our children and each other. We were part of the greatest nation the world has ever known. We had been attacked but we, as a people, would never be beaten. God Bless America. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The People who died were mostly civilians. The terrorists who killed them were religious fanatics and madmen. They were not representatives of a true religion and we, as Americans, should know from our past history as a nation of immigrants that people of other creeds and from other countries should not be painted with a broad brush of hatred and prejudice. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I have flown American flags from my home and my car every day since September 11, 2001. I usually wear a flag pin everyday. Whenever I am serving as a Eucharistic Minister in the hospital in memory of Marge Benson, my Angel, I always wear a flag ribbon held together with a gold cross. 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 nmah4861.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. 67.83.145.76 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 student teaching a 4th grade class. When I first found out, I didn't even understand what they were saying. I was in the middle of teaching a math lesson, and because I had been in class all morning, I didn't know what was going on, I didn't find out until 10:30 that morning. My master teacher was supposed to be out of the room, but she had really been watching the reports. I didn't find out anything really until I got into my car on the way home and then I just cried and cried. A lot of the parents had freaked out and come for their children, so some of the students had an idea, and it was heartbreaking to hear what they were saying. "Someone ran a plane into a building, and I think it was on purpose." "Mommy said the man that did it is evil." It was heartbreaking for 9 year olds to be worried about evil. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I think about the things that I'm doing just in everyday life, and how the victims can never do those things again, and how their loved ones can never do those things with them again. I really cherish my time now, I know that it is special, even if I am sitting on the couch watching a movie, it is special. I tell people that I love them more. I tell people that I love them right when I'm thinking it, incase I don't get the chance again. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that the innocent people that were lost should be remembered. I think that the heroes that died just doing their jobs should be remembered. Sure, we will fight back, we will rebuild, but there were millions of untold stories and unlived moments that ended that day, and we need to keep them close to our hearts. 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 think that it is sad that it took something like this to get many people to fly a flag. I am one of those girls that would get teared up over the Star Spangled Banner at baseball games years ago. I have always had a flag. The thing that got me the most on September 11 was that in my neighborhood, on my way home, a boyscout down the street was just holding this enormous flag, standing on the corner. He wasn't crying, he wasn't doing anything, just holding this flag on the corner, I guess that that is all that he knew to do. I think that the flag has come to mean a lot more than a united union of 50 states, it stands for our loss, and the people who died on 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 nmah110.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. 2002-08-03 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.12.96.70