89 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. My name is Deborah J Pombo. I was at work on September 11th 2001. My husband Manuel called me and told me to turn on the television. That was how I found out about the terrorist attacks on the USA. We live in California but the tragedy hurts all. My nephew was in NY as he is stationed there in the Army. We didn't hear from him for three days. He was also on burial duty at the World Trade Center. He and his sister each had a turn going overseas to protect the USA. He went during the latese war and she went after the latest war. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes our life has changed for better and worse. The better because we are more UNITED as a nation. More proud of being an American. The worse is when you hear an airplane you look to see where it is and if it keeps going by. And even though its not very nice its looking at people wondering if they are a terrorist or are they related to any of those people who hijacked the planes. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? It should be remembered for the many people who lost their lives to this coward attack on the USA. To the nation as a whole who stood together to put the country back on its feet with the blinders off. There should be a picture of the terrorists under a block of clear sheeting on the ground. So people can see their faces and just stomp on them. For therapy of course. You may have to change the floor a bit from all the stomps. Just an idea. it should be and Independence Day for the people. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes I did. And I have a cute flag wind sock now. I have to get a new one soon. Earlier in I tried to get a flag, before this event, and you couldn't find any. Like when we had an Earthquake years earlier I went to look for a Earthquake Kit (like a survival bag) and there wasn't any to be found. My feelings about the flag is I was always proud to be an American. Making sure people didn't mock the flag and respected it as it represented our Country. (On the TV show "Barney Miller" in the 70's I believe the character detective Wojohowitz arrested someone because they had a flag on their clothing. I can't remember if it was his shirt, or maybe it was the pants. He thought that was wrong. But it was freedom of speech.) I feel unless its a regular flag that you never let touch the ground. And not just throw it away in the trash when its old, you burn it). I think having a flag represented any other way should be OK. It shows you love the USA. And for the people who want to burn the US flag against the USA should do it in another country. Red, White and Blue is USA. You love the USA. Not "I don't believe in war so I'm going to burn an American flag. Nope that's a big NO NO. These colors don't run. Yep this Texan is American Proud. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah6331.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. 2003-10-16 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 66.81.214.221 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 my class room in reading class when I had found out about the the Twin Towers were attacked.I was watching it on a T.V in my class room. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, now I am very weary when I get on a plane.Now I study the people who are on my flight. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember as a test to see who is the stronger one as in emotions and bravery. 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 have not been on a flight yet ,but I am still weary of the people who i see at airports. 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 nmah2718.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-10 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 208.191.87.61 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 in Portugal visiting my uncle at the time. I was in a taxi when the taxi driver informed me that a plane had crashed into world trade centre. As my portuguese was as good as his english (not very!) i didn't really believe him. My uncle did not have a TV as he lives in the middle of nowhere, i tuned into the world service on the radio and listened. For the next couple of hours i didn't know anything. World war 3 could have broken out and i wouldn't have known! For the next couple of days all i heard or saw was in the papers or on the radio. i did not get chance to see the tv footage until i got back to england on saturday 15th. I couldn't believe my eyes. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. It has made me wake up to the simple fact that we should not take life for granted. September 11th was so shocking because it could have happened to any one of us, which has made me more aware of our vulnerability as a race. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The amazing rescue team who worked day and night, the medical professionals who endeavored to save the injured, the terrible image of the twin towers collapsing( who could forget that?), but most importantly the men and women who whilst living their own lives lost them because of issues that didn't involve them. They were just simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. What did it achieve? nothing! New York may be scarred , but the city was never destroyed. The strength of the American people showed 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? 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 nmah76.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-07-14 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 62.254.0.9 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 a chemical plant in LaPorte, Texas. Out plant has a dock on the Houston Ship Channel. We watched on TV the events as they unfolded. I was watching the towers burn and saw both towers collapse, along with my co-workers. I knew that we had entered an alternate universe and that life would never be the same. About noon we heard a plane approaching. We were all alarmed because all planes were supposed to be grounded. We were amazed when we ran outside to see planes from nearby Ellington Field fly down the ship channel, on patrol. These were combat, armed aircraft. They were flying so low that we could clearly see the face of the pilot as he looked down on us. Security was immediately tightened. All gates were locked and only opened when the person was deemed not to be a threat. I work in an area where there could be a great disaster if the refineries and chemical plants were attached. My last twelve months have been dark ones. On December 6, 2001, four days before our 25th anniversay, my huband died of a massive stroke. His father died the next month on January 19, from pancreas cancer. His uncle died the next month of heart failure. We have had a very hard time coping with all the stress but we are strong and we have survived as so many people have in this country. Our prayers are with the victims families and with all families who mourn the loss of their loved one. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. We are no longer carefree and confident that life will always be comfortable and secure. We have gradually learned to live without fear of the unkown but it is always waiting and we know that life can change in a heartbeat whether we want it to or not. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That our country are not cowards and that we do not back down from a fight. We became a country of many peoples with one voice. We will not stand still and do nothing and when we are attacked we will fight back with everything we have. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I still have a wreath that my husband made with small flags on the front of my house. I also have one on my car. I have always cherished our flag and respected what it stood for but now I know that many more people in the world understand that our flag is a symbol of our strength and courage not just a piece of cloth. 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 nmah3706.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 216.150.173.37 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 by watching the twin towers getting attacked by suicide bombers. I woke up and went to class like it was a regular day but it wasn't. My english teacher told us a plane accidentily crashed in one of the twin towers,right when she said that i knew somehow that it wasn't an accident. then two periods later i heard that another plane crashed into the twin towers when i heard that i was actually scared because i thought we were definatley going to go in to war with Afghanistan. I thought my brother was going to have to be sent to afghanistan and i was really sad because I thought I wasn't going to see him for a while. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has changed because now im more patriotic towards america and I respect the flag. I also am more honerable to people who are fighting for the country. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think what should be most remembered about September 11th is all the people who lost their lives and all the people who were close to the ones who died in the towers. 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 parents did purchase 2 flags to put on our car. Yes, i used to not even pay attention to it now whenever i see one I usually think about 9/11/01. 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 nmah1732.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 woke up to my dad telling me that one of the twin towers had been hit by an airplane. Of course, being half asleep, it took me a half-an-hour to realize how big this really was. Being only twelve I don't think that I completely understood what was going on. I went to school, and everyone was acting strangly talking about a plane crashing into the school, which was not very smart because it is not very likly for a plane to hit such a remote school. After school I came home and both of my parents were there watching the news, my dad hadn't gone to work because the closed down his building in Sanfransisco because of the attacks. I think that it came as a real shock to a lot of people were in shock from the attacks but over the next few weeks things calmed down a bit. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has not changed very much since 9-11 but if it has I would say that it has taught me that this country is not completely safe from everyone, if three men can get into airplanes and fly into buildings. I think that our country is not perfect and it never will be but we are just going to have to live with it. But at least I feel that if we have to go to war we will win. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that people should remember that this country is not safer than any other country in this world and that we are always being threatened by other countries every day. The only difference is that all of those other countries were smart enough not to do any thing, which is why we never here about those things. A final thought to think about: Are we really ever safe, have we ever been in the past, will we be in the future? I seriously doubt 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? Yes, I did fly an American flag after 9/11. I now feel that the flag is more sacred than it has ever been, to me. I feel that we have never given it as much credit as it deserves. It meant so much to us durring the cival wars and it should mean just as much to us now. I think that 9/11 made most of us realize how important our flag really is and how much it means 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 nmah2073.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. 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. As I watched the events unfold throughout the day, I began to realize just how tragic this event was. I watched as the brave firefighters, policemen and port authority rushed into the building even while it was falling to the ground. I watched in horror as people lept from the 70th floor to avoid being burned alive. I watched as the second plane crashed into the World Trade Center Towers. And I watched as an American symbol of capitalism crumbeled to the ground. As hard as I tried to fight back tears, I could not. I was uncertain, and angry and sad all at the same time. I wondered waht would happen to our beloved freedoms after this herendous attack. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, I am much more cautious about everything. Things I used to take for granted like tractor trailers on the road, became symbols of fear to me. I wondered about every plane flying overhead, every unmarked truck driving by, and every man or woman I passed on the street. Could this person be the next terrorist? NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? We should remember most of all the heroes that died in the tragic events that unfolded on 9/11. The firefighters, the policemen, the port authority, the passengers on the planes and the thousands of unknown men and women that gave their lives that day. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I flew the flag before the events on September. The flag has always been a source of pride to me. This pride and respect that I experience was only increased by the events on September 11th. But, I think that every American in the country felt the way I did. We all felt unified, as our forefathers intended so long ago. 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 nmah3137.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 208.31.154.100 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was home watching TV and ended up staying home and watching the events unfold all day. I couldn't believe what was happening. On Monday the 10th, I had heard more bombing and killing news on the TV and had thought to myself that I was glad that nothing like that was happening in the US...and the very next day it did. That eerie timing will always haunt me. I went to pick up my husband from the metro station at 1:00 pm as he works downtown in LaFant Plaza and they closed the building at 10:00 am. He said that he didn't see or hear anything regarding the Pentagon crash but he could smell the smoke pretty stong in the air. LaFant Plaza is just 1 mile from the Pentagon. He said that it was very chaotic at the plaza as everyone was evacuating quickly. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, for 2 months afterwards I would tear up or cry at any news info related to the event or the littlest patriotic story, song, etc. I was angry that so many innocent people were killed and I wanted to know why...what did we do to provoke this? I was sad that we as humans continue to participate in war in the new millennium. I am sad that others in the middle east continue to suffer. The one year anniversary has just passed and I'm surprised to see that all my emotions over the event seem to be right at the surface still. It felt good to attend some of the commemorative events to share the sorrow and the pride with others. I watched a few informative TV programs on the event and on the world trade center and was grateful for a bigger picture of things. I feel like I now know what Americans must have felt when past wars were going on. I have a new interest in the history of conflict. I have a stronger appreciation for our men and women that serve in our armed forces here and around the world. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The tragedy of lost innocent lives. The heroism of police, fire fighters, the passengers on the plane that crashed in PA, the air traffic controllers. The amazing out pouring of help from Americans and many supporting countries. The loss of a sense of security in America. The massive show of American patriatism. 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 put up all my Fourth of July decorations in and outside the house for several months. I was thrilled and proud to see all the American flags displayed everywhere...that was and still is wonderful! No, I have always displayed and been proud of the American flag. Thank you for this opportunity for others and myself to share our opinions. 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 nmah5148.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. 2002-09-23 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 129.174.49.15 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. By nature I am not a morning person. As a general rule I refer to the hours between 8:00 am and 11:00 am as "The Middle of the Night" I could never have imagined the horror I would awaken to on that Tuesday. About eight people called me that morning (Or was it one determined person?) trying to wake me but to no luck. When I finally fell out of bed at about 11:30 am and heard the messages I just couldn't believe it. All I can think of is, "What's next for us?!" Watching the images on the news, even over a year later, it's so difficult to believe it really happened. Although the attack on the Pentagon and Heroism displayed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania were part of the bigger picture of that Tuesday morning my mind returns to lower Manhattan. A few weeks previously I had been introduced to on a Caribbean vacation to three people who made their homes in New York City. After a week you start to learn about people and friendships are forged. It was impossible not to think of them during that first week when we knew so little about what had occurred. My mind also wondered to a good friend from High School who worked in the Financial District. We had become friends during that turbulent and troubled time known as adolescence. I was very lucky that all of them were safe physically though I can perhaps never know mentally the traumas they may have received. The first week our senses were flooded with images of that day. Ash, paper and grief washed over the city with a great vengeance. I have another good friend who I occasionally do bookkeeping for who is a stock trader in West Palm Beach, Florida. Three days before I was visiting him at his home and helped him pay bills. When I saw the footage of clouds of debris filling the canyons of lower Manhattan I wondered if perhaps an envelope I had addressed or a check I had filled in was part of that great, stirring mass of gray. 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? As former History Major I cannot help but think about how the events of the past year will be remembered. It is said that History is written by bitter old men but I beg to differ. One of my best friends, who is, like me in her mid-twenties, were discussing by what name we would call the War that will eventually follow. I would like to throw the following suggestions into the public arena: "The War of Remembrance". 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? How could you not display a flag during the weeks to follow. In the Central Florida area it was if the whole community wrappped itself in the flag in much the same way a child does for comfort and protection. PS I would like to applaud you for this incredibly important collection you are building. I often use the resources available to me on-line through the "American Memory" program and am so glad that these remembrances of the people are being preserved. How wonderful it is be to know that on the one hundred anniversary of these events future generations of my family will be able to better understand the mood of a Nation. 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 nmah5167.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. 2002-09-29 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 205.188.208.71 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I worked for the fery from NJ. As Operations Manager, I was notified immediately when the first plane hit. I was on the next boat out to the World Finanacial Center. (Across 12th street from the towers.) I stayed there coordinating the boats the entire time. I heard a call come out on my handheld marine radio, "GETOUTGETOUT!!!, IT'S COMMIN DOWN, THE F'N THING IS COMING DOWN!" We were so close to the financial center that we couldn't see the towers, and didn't know wether or not they were tumbling our way. We just stood there looking up at the side of the mercantile exchange building to see if they were coming over the top at us. When the first tower collapsed the cloud came right up to the terminal, but the wind blew it back before it came over us. When the second (North) tower fell, the cloud did envelope us. Like everyone else, there was nothing to do about it, it was everywhere. After the second tower fell, no one else was coming to the ferry. They all headed North. I worked my way over to Pier 11 where the evacuation continued. I coordinated that effort for a few hours. I really don't remember exactly what else I did that day, but I ran emergency services and gov't workers around the rest of the day and night. Everyone kept looking for the injured, but it became apparent very early on that either you were okay, or dead. It was pretty grim. I didn't stop until about 11am the next day. Frankly, I couldn't have slept if I wanted to. While on Pier 11 that day, a US Marshal told me that there was SERIN on the planes. I didn't know what it was, but he said that, "If it got you, it's over. Within 36 hours, we could all be dead." (Thus my problem sleeping that night.) I later spoke to one of the executives from the company who had been working with OEM, and the Feds, and he confirmed that there was indeed SERIN on the planes, and that indeed, "By dinner tomorrow night, we could all be dead." I went into the office, and called my sons Daniel & Joseph, I told them that I love them, and always would. I did not mention the situation, but told them that I loved them over & over and how proud I am of them, until I was satisfied they KNEW IT. I then called my brother and asked him to look after them. Then I went back to work shuttling people around until about 11 am. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I no longer work for that ferry from NJ. Facing my mortality twice that day kind of altered my approach to life, and how I was willing to live it. Life's too short for what I was doing there. I now run my own business. i am not getting rich, but getting by. At least now I am proud of what I do every day. I am with the woman I love doing a job I love. As it should be. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The New Yorkers. That was the most organized fire drill I ever saw in my life. Only it was for real. NYers kept their cool, and became one huge compassionate village, even if only for a while. It was a thing of true beauty. 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? Every day. I was never a flag waver, in fact I had a long list of things I didn't like about our Gov't, but after the 11th, the priority came to the surface. It's still THE BEST THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN! Yeah it can get better, but it could be a HELL of a lot worse. 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 nmah695.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. 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 in school when it happened and the anouncments came over on the speaker and I couldn't understand what was being said. When my teacher turned on the T.V. it was in Spanish but, I had seen what had transpired and I was shocked that this had actually happened. When I saw the second plane fly into the building then I understood what was happening we were being attacked deliberately by terrorists who had no speacial plan but to kill as many people as they could. The day I went home they were sending the firefighters in to get people out of the building but, somehow I felt that they weren't going to have enough time to ger everyone out and still escape but they still did because it was there job. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has not really changed because I have always loved this country even though sometimes we try to hurt each other we really all belive in the same thing whether it be in our country or our countrymen we all stand beside one another and that is what makes us strong. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The people who died in this tragic event but also those who tried to save other peole and not themselves. The firefighters knew when they stepped off the truck they may never see their families again that is why they did because they had to and it takes a different kind of mentality to just say, " Okay I may not come back alive but at least their I will save one person who will tell how he was pulled from the grips of death." 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 but, I went to a service in memory of the people who lost their lives. My feelings are still strong about our flag and our country. What the terrorists tried to accomplish was make the Americans think they are not safe even in their homes; they failed because we as a nation have been through worse times and every time we joined together and defeated our enimies together. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah4909.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. 63.238.205.31 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 listening to a CD on the way to work so when I walked into work they told me a plane had crashed into the twin towers. I ran into the office with a TV just as the second plane hit. We were all horrified and in total disbelief. I sat and watched as the plane crashed into the pentagon. Then reports of a plane crashing in PA. I thought how many more what is next. Finally at noon they let us out of work and I went home to my husband and two children. I just wanted to hug them. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I have learned to really appreciate what is important. My family and friends. I overlook some of the silly stupid things that used to upset me. Life is too short not to enjoy it to the fullest. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? We need to remember those innocent people who died and the hereos who raced into to try to save as many people as they could. I hope the country remember and keeps the spirit of cooperation and compassion for others. We need to remember the pride we have in our country, our police officers and firemen. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes we did fly a flag and put one on our cars. The flag more than just a symbol of our country the flags showed to all that we are not defeated we are united as one under our flag. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah4249.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 67.82.249.11 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 "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I woke up and realized that I had forgotten to set my alarm clock, which is pretty normal, but my parents hadn't come in to wake me up, which is not. I heard footsteps outside my door, and called my dad in. He sat on the edge of my bed and said that two airplanes had crashed into the World Trade Centers. I had no idea what that meant. I went to take a shower. It wasn't until I went out for breakfast that I realized that CNN was on, and it's NEVER on in the morning. Even my mom was watching it. I started getting scared and asking questions. What were the World Trade Centers? I'm not sure if I ever got a clear answer to that one. What will happen? My mom was postitive that this would be a day forever remembered, like December 7th,when Pearl Harbor was bombed. When did this happen? Early in the morning, in America time. We live in Indonesia, halfway around the world, about 15 hours different from America. For us, it was on live at about 10:00 PM. My parents said that they had seen the second plane crash, but I was already in bed. At school, all my American friends were giving what they heard or saw on TV and the internet. One of our Austrailian teachers hadn't even realized anything until he got to school, and overheard one of his students talking about it.We had to beg our tachers to let us watch CNN in the library. Some let us. They wee interested too. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Well, since I live in Indonesia, but I'm American and I visit the US every summer, I spend a lot of time on airplanes, and you know that they've changed a lot. Also I think that i've been thinking more, being more mindful. I hope this happened in everyone's mind. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That the world will be a better place if we just try. 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 overseas, I have always felt a strong patriotism, but now it is even stronger. I sorta feel like I would have liked to be in the US, just to see all the flags waving. 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 nmah2969.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. 202.155.42.212 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 eleventh I was in my seminar class and my teacher turned on the T.V. and it had pictures of the planes hitting the twin towers! Then that class was over and we went to the next class and went into a room with the big screen and watched the attacks and some of us were tearing. When I went home My mom and dad were in traverse city and I was freaking out because they were late getting home. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes. I am now even happier with what I have and I don't bug my parents to get me things anymore unless it is very very important to have. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember everything about it but one problem with that is that the people who had deaths in the attacks will have to put up with all of the figurins that were made and that might put them into another stage of depression. 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. Yes they have by a lot. 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 nmah2616.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. 198.108.204.40 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I remember sitting in Mrs.boyd's class when it happend. I was so mad that i wasn't thinking striaght. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I think the nation has mourned and become stronger to form a great brother hood. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? We should remember the lives that were lossed for nothing, they were innocent and they thought they were safe.In the long run i think that they were safe,God heard them cry and he had compassion for them and there lives were not lossed in vein. 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 fly our flag to comemorate the poeple that died and to show that we are still strong and we will not forget. 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 nmah3362.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 208.182.75.4 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 walking into my math class with books in hand and hearing two boys in the back of the classroom whispering about how they heard that planes flew into a building, as i got closer to listen to the interesting new gossip, the teacher walked through the door and began her lesson. The teacher did not act a bit flustered with the plane rumors, and so i quickly pushed it towards the back of my mind. After math finished, I was on my way to art class when I overheard some people speaking about the World Trade Centers, but I quickly overlooked this and continued on my way. When I got to art i was greeted by a room full of solum faces, and i saw my teacher pulling the TV out of the closet. Instead of taking role as usual, our teacher told us that she knew that both World Trade Centers were down, but she did not know anymore. About half way through class, our principle made an announcement that there was to be a moment of silence in honor of the people who lost their lives just that morning. My friend Jill soon began panicking because she realized that her sister was in Washington D.C. at this time, and I remember thinking to myself 'oh know, what if Jill's sister is dead?'. Thinking this then, I had no idea of just how many lives were taken on September 11th. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes I think that my life ahs changed greatly because of September 11th. But in saying this I feel very greedy, because in truth I did not loose a relative like so many people did. I don't think I am aloud to complain how much this day has changed my life, because there are so many people who's life was turned upside down all because of one plane. I hear so many people complain about things such as heightened security and strongly inforced rules, but they should be thankful for the fact that our country is looking out for us. If these complaining people had been an actual surviver of the September 11th attacks, they would live each day just happy to be alive, not walking around complaining about how they have 1 more security check they have to go through before they board a plane. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that what should be remembered most about September 11th is all the little children who were sitting in school the on the morning of September 11th when the planes struck, and had absolutely no idea what was going until they returned home from school to hear that yes infact there mother or father was in working in the World Trade Center. I hear stories about people that held hope that there loved ones would be found alive, but infact they would never speak to them again, and never get to tell them just how much they were loved. Whenever I think of this horrible attack, I think of all the people that had to look into the pleading eyes of a child and tell them that no there parents will not return home that night for dinner. 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, the day after September 11th, my dad hung a huge 6 foot flag on our house. Everytime I saw this flag I would feel an overwhelming pride to be an American, and an even larger sense of rage for those who are able to take so many inicent lives with just one act of rage towards a country in which they hardly even know anything about. 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 nmah3892.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. 204.108.200.1 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 in my second period class (shop) working on an assignment when another teacher bust in the door telling Mr. Clarke that a plane ran into the World Trade Center. So my teacher quickly turned on the television, but while my whole class watched the news the teachers disscused what happened. All throughout the next couple of weeks every teacher had his/her T.V. on to find out more details on the terrorist attacks. And that's how I remember 9-11. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, my life has changed. I have a new found respect for my country and my self. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think what should be remembered is the way this great nation stood strong at the failed attempt to tear us apart. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes I did fly the American flag after 9-11, and yes my feelings did change about the flag. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah560.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-29 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 208.191.87.61 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. Second MOD (in my case the class was Spanish II) had just begun, and we were starting to work on our verb warm-up, when our teacher was handed a note by a hall monitor. She read it, and immediately her face turned a ghostly white. She told us something awful had happened, but that she wasn't allowed to say anything until our principal made an announcement. Shortly thereafter our principal came on the loudspeaker and announced that two airplanes had crashed into the World Trade Center towers. Initially I thought it had to be some sort of freak accident. It couldn't be terrorism. America had always been safe from things like that. We turned on the radio, and the first thing we heard was that the Pentagon had been hit. It felt like the end of the world. Recognizing the panic that was sweeping over us, our teacher turned the radio off, and forced us to continue taking verb notes. Finally the MOD ended, and I had to get to the first Student Senate meeting of the school year. Once I got to the auditorium, where the meeting was being held, I heard several of my friends talking about the attacks. Apparently during the MOD, the first World Trade Center tower had collapsed. Our principal came in, and led us through a tender recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, the Student Senate advisor told us to go back to our third MOD class, which in my case, was Government. When I got up to my classroom, I immediately saw footage of the WTC in flames, and then the first tower collapsing. Soon after I arrived, the second tower collapsed. My Government teacher told us that these attacks would likely be the defining moment of our generation, as the assasination of President Kennedy had been for her, and Pearl Harbor had been for our grandparents. Lunch came, and I couldn't eat a thing. I literally felt like I was going to spew my guts out. My knees were shaking and I was braking out in a cold sweat. I went back to Government class, and we were told to evacuate the building, because there were fears that a plane was heading for Camp David, some 30 miles to the west of us. When I got home, I realized that since I had left the house, the innocence of my generation had died with the collapse of the World Trade Center. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I've always been apprehensive about flying, and the terror attacks of 9/11 only amplified my fears. Since the attacks, I have flown only twice, to go to and from Wisconsin for my grandmother's funeral, which occurred three months after the attacks. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? September 11th should always be known as our nation's greatest tragedy, and our finest hour. 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 nmah6361.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-11-17 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 63.64.215.112 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 school teacher and heard the news that one of the twin towers had been struck by an airplane while in the car on my way to school. I thought it was a tragic accident until hearing just after it happened that the second tower had been struck by a plane. My heart froze in my chest and I started getting teary as I realized this was clearly an act of war or terrorism. It was around 5 minutes after hearing of the second tower being struck that I arrived at school for a faculty meeting. I did not want to turn the radio off and miss anything. I met another teacher in the parking lot at the school and had the sad duty of telling her of the attacks. It felt surreal sitting in the faculty meeting trying to normally discuss issues related to the functioning of the school while I was in shock over the attack. I teach first graders and due to the time our school starts, none of my students saw or heard about the attack before school. I did not want to cause them trauma, so made the decision to not discuss the event with them that day. Going about a normal day of teaching when something was so terribly wrong was probably the most difficult thing I've ever done as a teacher. My classroom aide spent much of the day in another room listening to the radio and bringing me whispered reports of what she was hearing. At lunch we all gathered around the radio as we tried to eat. This is when the fear seemed to impact me most--when I realized the 2002 Winter Olympics would be in my hometown. On that day, at that time, it felt as if there was a big target on my home. I wasn't sure if there would be an Olympics or if I wanted them here. Mostly, I just remember that it all seemed surreal. I didn't want to believe it, but couldn't deny reality. When I got home that night and turned on the television, it became even more frightening to actually see the events I had heard about throughout the day. I was shocked and saddened and had a great amount of empathy for those who were missing family members. The following day I began the day with a short discussion with my first graders about the attack. I tried to reassure them that their parents and I as their teacher will do everything we can to keep them safe. I gave them time to talk to each other and me about their feelings, but then moved on with the normal routine of the day. As the week continued, I became encouraged by the blessings and positive actions that occured in such tragedy. The way many countries throughout the world joined the U.S. in shock and mourning was touching. The stories of everyday heroes who saved lives, or just helped victims of the attacks such as those who were giving out water to the people fleeing the towers, the teachers and principal of the Leadership school that had to be evacuated. The tragic heroism of Todd Beamer and those on that flight who sacrificed themselves for the safety of others. September 11, 2001 is a day I will never forget. It will always evoke a myriad of emotions in me from sorrow over those lost to pride in our country's response to gratefulness for the freedoms I have as a United States Citizen. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has changed in subtle ways since September 11, 2001. I am more conscious of my freedoms and blessings as an American. I am less impatient and more caring of others. I am sometimes fearful of other acts of terrorism, but refuse to let that fear keep me from going about my life. I have always been respectful of firefighters, policemen, and members of the armed forces, but my respect for those groups is much greater than ever. I feel they deserve to be paid and treated better by society than they are. They risk their lives day in and day out to protect us. I went to the 2002 Winter Olympics, which was a wonderful time of healing for me. I enjoyed interacting with people from all over the world. The friendliness and peacefulness of the crowds despite very long lines in cold weather to get through security helped restore my faith in humanity. The fact that the games were safe and secure also helped me feel more secure about my own safety. I think I lost a very naive feeling of security that I had before the terrorist attacks of September 11th. Before that day I would not have thought much about national or personal security beyond the ordinary locking of doors at home. Now there is always a part of me that knows it could happen here and it could happen to me, when before it wasn't even a imaginable. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The heroic actions of firefighters and police officers. The heroic actions of ordinary people who went to work that day, and helped others, comforted others, saved lives, or gave their own lives. The heroic actions of those on the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. Remember the victims and their families. The way our country rallied together in support for the victims. We showed our strength, even as we were fearful and vulnerable. 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 been a patriotic person. I live in an apartment where a flag could not be seen, but still have an American flag in my car window. My feelings about my flag and my country have intensified since September 11th because they are symbols of my personal freedoms and reminders of those who fought and died to give me the freedoms I have. We say the Pledge of Allegiance in my classroom daily and I try to help my students understand the meaning behind the words and the symbol and respect it. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah1488.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. 2002-09-08 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 66.219.220.121 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. I did not see it live, I was at school when ever I heard of it. Even when I did hear of it I still wasn't sure what was going on.When ever I got home and saw a replay of the planes hitting the towers I was shocked.I just couldn't understand why someone would do this. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life hasn't changed all that much, I don't feel that safe anymore. I'm sure I'm not the only one. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? We should remember that it wasn't just the WTC that got attacked it was also the Pentagon, and the plane that crashed out in Pennsylvania. 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 9/11. I have a lot more respect now for the flag than what I did. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3420.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 216.109.3.68