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Posted: 09.09.2002
Monday, Monday, can't trust that day
Wow -- on time! The Monday Mission 2.36.
  1. Where were you and what was happening in your life the moment when you first became aware of what was happening at the World Trade Center in New York City last September 11th? What was the first thing you did when you heard the news? I was at home alone. I was extremely sick that week and had slept over 14 hours because I wasn't reacting well to a new medication.

    I got up about 2 p.m. on the 11th. I let Claire out and went to flip on the TV. There was the image of the two towers -- still standing, but in flames -- with a headline "BREAKING NEWS: Two Planes Hit World Trade Center". I was too groggy to even connect it could be a terrorist event. I rushed to the phone (which we unplug at night when I'm having trouble sleeping) and noticed a half-dozen phone calls on Caller ID. So then my heart really began to stop.

    I called Todd at work, who was very relieved to hear my voice. Before I could even get out "What happened?", in the most somber tone I've ever heard his voice, he told me it had been a very bad day. I said, "I see the World Trade Center on TV...," and he cut me off with, "They're both gone." I argued with him, because I still thought I was watching live TV and said they were still standing. He was trying to explain the other planes at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania when the "live" footage I was watching showed the first tower collapse. It finally hit me that I wasn't watching live TV -- and getting the news of everything at once made my knees buckle. I hit the floor and couldn't stop crying. Todd tried to give me the recap as best he could and I never wanted to hang up the phone with him. When we finally knew the other one was going to be ok, we ended our conversation so I could check my messages. My mom, grandmother, aunt and sister had all called. So I began calling each of them back to check on everyone.

    To this day Todd and I still can't decide which way was worse to learn of the events -- to be at work, but with people around you, not knowing what was happening, hearing all the true and false reports, and wondering if it was ever going to end -- or being by yourself totally alone and having to digest and process all of it at once the split-second you woke up.

  2. When those truly responsible for the attack are apprehended, what do you think would be the most fitting form of justice? There is NO earthly form of punishment that would be fitting. The worst form of torture I could possibly imagine would be too humane.

  3. This will probably be much like when our parents respond to "Where were you when JFK was shot?"- an event never forgotten by those who were there. But how do you think the history books should present the 9-11 attacks? Should it be included for all future generations? How can we truly convey the shock, the outrage, the emotions and pain of that day to the children of our children? How could you not include it? More people died on our own soil that day than at any other time in our nation's history. I don't believe it's possible to convey the shock, outrage and emotions however. Reading first-hand accounts of Pearl Harbor and hearing my mother's first-hand account of the JFK shooting just do not convey what it was actually like to live through them. You can do your best with stories and photos, but even those of us not in Manhattan that day can't possibly comprehend all that was seen.

  4. No one in that building, in the Pentagon, or on the planes (other than the terrorists) knew that 9-11 would be their last day to be alive. For me, it brought home the reality that I could be gone at anytime, without any warning. Now, I really want each day to have some value. Did the events of 9-11 bring about a change in the way you live your life? To some extent most definitely. I always try to leave Todd a note every day, be it through e-mail or something tucked in his work clothes, letting him know that I love him and how much he means to me. And it breaks my heart to think of the wives who may have been late to work or getting the kids to school and may have missed that last kiss. I don't ever want to miss one again.

  5. Several who loved to fly in planes will not step foot in one anymore. Many parents are more protective of their children. A year later, do you find yourself feeling more secure than back then? Or is it just a matter of time before something else happens? They have all made it quite clear it's just a matter of time before they attack us again, and I fully believe it to be true -- especially if we end up invading Iraq. But we can't live like prisoners. I swore I would never fly again, and still haven't. But we have a trip booked home at the end of the month for my grandmother's 70th birthday. I may have be sedated to get there, but my family is there and we are here -- sometimes you have to face your fears like it or not. It's the choice we made the day we moved to Florida, and then bought a house to settle here. I don't think I'll ever feel more secure, however. The fear will always be in the back of my mind.

  6. The best way for me to honor the those impacted by the attack will be to refrain from any media that day. No papers, no radio and especially no television. Others will light candles, and others will attend special services. What, if anything, will you do to personally reflect on the tragedy? As mentioned earlier, I will not be blogging that day. I also will not have my television or radio on. I refuse to let this become a pre-packaged commercial holiday, no matter how many news agencies make up theme songs and graphics for the event. No matter how many Hallmark cards are sold.

  7. One of the visuals that touched me the most were the walls and walls full of hand made "Missing" posters. What image will you always have in your mind when you recall the events of 9-11? I think the image of the firemen raising the flag over the rubble will always stay with me. The star spangled banner yet waves...
BONUS: Who's gonna come around when you break? Who's gonna drive you home, tonight?



Hey boy take a look at me...let me dirty up your mind...



I am planning on a media blackout too (even made a nifty image), but I may have to begin tonight since the networks can't wait get right on it!

If you think what Hallmark did was in bad taste, take a look at what I found out about Tupperware!

¤ ¤ credit: Promo | 09.10.02 at 01:34 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

Actually, during the Civil War, about 3600 union soldiers alone were killed in Gettysberg, and an estimated 3600-4000 Battle of Antietam in one day. Really. It's terrible what happened, but the media and the amount of people crying for "Patriot Day" and waving plastic flags around and declaring that the nation has been changed is really sickening.

¤ ¤ credit: crystal | 09.10.02 at 07:33 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

(I have a degree in History but) I purposely didn't count the Civil War death tolls in that statement because it was a domestic battle. It was not another country (or citizens of another country) making an attack on our soil -- it was our brother/cousin/neighbor doing so. My wording should have reflected as such.

¤ ¤ credit: robyn | 09.10.02 at 09:00 PM | link--this ¤ ¤




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