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di's Insite
The Attack of Terror
I was preparing to leave for a drive to Kentucky to visit my mother when my husband yelled from his computer to turn on the TV as someone in a chat room said we were under attack. Watching in disbelief, it focused just in time to see the second plane hit the World Trade Building in New York. Like the rest of America, I was horrified to see people running, as the smoke chased them like a giant monster around corners of buildings.
Later, a woman said on the news that she had ran from the first building with her co-workers as the second building was hit. Smoke poured over the streets, blocking her view till they had to feel their way to safety. A nearby elementary school was evacuating its children when the smoke threatened the school yard. Students and faculty ran down the streets to escape. I can only imagine the horror and worry of parents with students there or those who had driven to the city for work, only to find it difficult to leave when bridges and roads were blocked with stalled traffic. Subways stopped running and though many people were told to leave the city, it was difficult to escape the smoke which had filled the streets and harbor.
Though I couldn't get through the congested phone lines to my parents and children, I found it easy to get on the Internet. Quickly I logged into my favorite chat room where others had gathered for comfort. Many were calling this the 2nd Pearl Harbor as they expressed their anger and sorrow. Each told of their towns shutting down airports, banks, schools and government buildings. Someone urged us all to donate blood for the victims.
Several mothers were worried about adult children who were working in the New York area and hadn't contacted them. A young wife said her husband had immediately woke the children and kissed them good-bye as he hurried to join his reserve unit. Older men stated they would gladly enlist again if they could. Some lived near enough to the attacks to actually have seen the plane as it dove in low. Overseas friends told of their own country's concern. A UK friend said his nearby base was on alert as they awaited more news.
Then the chat room moderator decided to play the music, "Amazing Grace" as the chat room was called to prayer. Many typed out during the heartfelt song that they were crying. One woman had trouble keeping water down to take her medicine. As the dead toll rose, so did the outrage and tears. Over my computer's speakers came a mournful bagpipe song. Some came in the chat room for just a few minutes as they readied for jobs in the health field. A quick request for prayer and they went off line. One man announced it was the worst birthday he had ever experienced. Across the chat screen came a request that all make a call or visit to tell family and loved ones just how much they were loved.
A mother's son called to say he loved her; someone's child could be heard over our computers, whimpering for attention as Mom tried to find a reason for the insanity. Advice was typed and spoken on how to explain this attack to worried children. As our grief and anger was shared with newcomers to the room, our bond grew as Americans.
We were told of airports closed, and of the Hoover Dam closure, urging boaters to leave the water areas. Military bases swelled with activity as chat room friends told us of the planes flying over their homes as they left base. A Canadian told us his area was congested with planes being diverted from the United States.
Fear set in as an announcement came about the banks closing. We began to search our wallets for cash we might need. A young woman left to run to her elderly's mother's bank to withdraw her money for her. Someone said it was now impossible to drive from Arizona to Nevada as roads swelled with traffic. For the first time anyone could remember, baseball games were canceled. That announcement brought a laugh as we wondered who could possibly play, much less watch a game now. In fact, we seemed unable to do much except watch our TV's and type our fears to one another. Video cams focused on TV screens as we searched together for hope of rescues.
As we saw reports of stock market drops and closings, we heard of ships being moved to our East coastline. Fears of more attacks filled the room. There were some hopes of peace expressed but the majority clearly wanted revenge.
I finally left the chatroom, exhausted from just the stress of watching the news and hearing my friends despair. I wondered how the search teams could survive their stress during the night---it has to weigh heavily on their own emotional health and on their families who know they are working in a dangerous zone. Indeed, the nightmares may never be over for those workers, nor will the United States citizens take our public safety for granted again.
Here are some thoughts on the attack sent to me:
Fort Worth, TX: '...I am now at work, it is horrendous, the question was when, and "it amplifies the3 importance of Christ in all of our lives". "The future is uncertain and the end is always near" James Douglas Morrison, The Doors Peace'
Florida Nursing Home Worker: '...all my residents are shocked and saddened by all this. Some of them are being picked up by family members so they can all share this time of grief together. Some family members are worried because we are just outside MacDill AFB, command central for the middle east. This could make it a major target as well as the Federal Courthouses here. I have to admit, it does worry me some too.... Our schools (all) are closed, courts, government offices all closed. MacDill is on shutdown to all but officers and residents. We have snipers (sharpshooters) and SWAT teams on rooftops downtown. Our capitol is shut down until tomorrow. All our malls, Disney World, Busch Gardens, etc. are closed. Our airports will be closed until at least tomorrow pm.'
Elderly Couple in Columbia, S.C.: '...we are taking it as calmly as possible. All state and federal offices here in Columbia have sent everyone home except for "necessary personnel," whatever that means. Every event in the city that would have attracted large crowds have been canceled. Ft. Jackson is on full alert and the post is closed to everyone, again, except necessary personnel, which I assume means active duty soldiers, and perhaps medical personnel at the hospital. What that means is that no one other than mentioned above will be allowed through the gates of Ft. J. Usually it is open to everyone...I hope the Pentagon...and the President will keep their cool until something definite is learned. It was a suicide attack, so it seems planned well in advance, etc., etc. As much as I hate war, I do feel we should try to find out who is guilty and take appropriate action to put a stop to that kind of terrorism once and for all. It really disturbs me that one of the planes was hi-jacked in Boston they said...We feel confident that those in high places will figure it all out and do the right and necessary thing for all of us. Jim at the age of 69 is hoping he will be called back to active duty. Of course he won't be. But he said he would put on his ass kicking boots and take care of them.'
Wife in Pittsburgh, PA: 'Everyone in this area (which I am located about 30 minutes from Pittsburgh airport) is in shock and very nervous about things. It's very scary to know that terrorists could get this far and it makes you wonder if there is yet more to come. I figure that all govt. offices would be first major hits, then transportation modes, but then comes perhaps power plants, nuclear plants, steel mills, etc. I live within 5 minutes of a major steel mill and my husband works in that steel mill. I have found myself glued to the TV, but trying to pry myself away just so I can calm down. It is definitely a day none of us will ever forget. What we need to remember though is that God is in control. crashing into the second building.... at the doctor's office it was interesting to watch people as they watched the events on TV. Some wouldn't even look at the TV, while some of us were glued to it in disbelief. And yet, there were 3 ladies there who just yakked about dentures like there was absolutely nothing terrible going on in the USA. The doctors were sick over the incident, as well as the doctor's staff. All in all, I would say, most people are heartsick and frightened. Pray for peace.'
Mother in Arkansas: Letting you know that this immediate family is intact, but don't know about some of my family in NY State and others close by other places. I am in the process of trying to email others who can, hopefully, find out for me. Like you, I'm surprised the Internet was so easily accessed today. I didn't have to wait at all just now when I came on. The gas lines at every gas station here are extremely long. We heard that when the stations are out of gas that was that. Since I was down to a quarter of a tank, the boys and I were a part of one of those lines. I can say that the people in the lines were courteous and tried hard to be quick to get in and out. We were told also, that the prices in Little Rock had skyrocketed to $4.00 a gallon...We were at school this morning when the whole thing took place. The staff at school all tried to keep things going as usual. Some parents called asking if the children were alright. Many were making phone calls to relatives who live in the northern states and one had parents trying to fly somewhere and were stuck in the Little Rock airport, I believe. So far everyone they know are alright. Some parents came in and took their children home early. I spent my breaks in front of the TV, wondering what's next. Wanting just to go get my children from school and go home. Wishing there was something I could do, but not knowing what. It just didn't feel right going on as usual. Every time I went out on the playground and watched the children playing, I wondered what we would do if all of a sudden we were bombed and our world turned inside out. It feels like this may only be the beginning..... now what?'
Atlanta, Georgia: We are very lucky. My nephew works right next to the Trade Center. He was on his way to work by bus and just about to enter the Lincoln Tunnel when the bus was stopped. He saw much of it in person and said it was much worse in person than on TV. It took him 3 hours to get home and his cell phone did not work so his parents were worried sick. My brother in law who works in NJ said they could see the smoke from the top floor of his building.
Tallahassee, Florida Mother: '...doesn't it just irk you to no end that in a time of crisis like this, they hike the gas up immediately? I mean there is no threat to their current supply and it is so taking advantage of the situation. Marina was okay ...sounded fine and where she worked was the only place that DIDN'T close. I guess because it is a Jewish place of study, they would not admit to terrorists that they could shut them down....'
Kentucky retired Navy Commander: '... As a retired Navy Commander I stand ready to take up a position to support this attack on freedom. Maybe this will be the wake-up call Americans need to stand ready to fight for the freedom...'
Australian photographer wrote: '...I was watching the late news at 11pm last night and watched in shock as the whole thing was played out on CNN and ABC I couldn't leave the TV obviously and it just seemed to get worse as time when on... son Adam who had been working on new york for 4 months is now safely back in London but he was living opposite madison square gdns...I have just rang him in London and he told me he used to go to a bar at the top of one of the towers and knew a lot of people that worked in that building...Australia had been criticized recently for trying to turn around the illegal boat people coming from the middle east mainly Afghanistan... the repercussions of this terrorist attack is going to change the world forever...'
St. Charles, MO: 'I was shocked and very sad. I couldn't sleep all day yesterday.I feel sorry for all the victims and there families. I couldn't believe this could happen in the USA. I hope they find out who committed this crime and punishment to the max.They got to get better security at the airports so this dosnt happen again.'
Internet Business wrote: 'Dealprovider just wants to send out it’s care and heartfelt understanding to all of those hit by the recent terrorist acts against the United States. As many of you know Dealprovider is based in New York, not far from the World Trade Center. We have spent the entire day trying to locate and account for all of our family and friends. Luckily everyone we know happened to make it out safely. Let’s hope this is the end, and that we can rebuild quickly to show that nothing will deter American democracy and peace. Life must go on, and the strong need to comfort and aid the people who have been hit both emotionally and physically by these horribly unbelievable terrorist acts. Please be careful and don’t allow these disasters to alter your life or beliefs. If you want to help those in need call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. Godspeed, - Dealprovider.com Staff
Internet MailBits.com wrote: Early Tuesday morning, just a few blocks from where we at MailBits.com live and work, innocent people lost their lives. It was a shocking way to start the day. Many of us still haven't recovered from it all. As a way of dealing with the pain and memorializing the people who died here and in other parts of the country, we built a memorial Web page. Please visit it and remember those who lost their lives. Go Here: http://mailbits.com/goto/donotforget
Web Sites' Memorials:
http://www.geocities.com/livvememorial/
(flash needed): http://sendingfun.com/momentofsilence/flash.asp
http://mailbits.com/goto/donotforget
http://mailbits.com/goto/donotforget/
http://www.geocities.com/geoffandjj/godbless.htm
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© 2001 di
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