Reflections
As most Americans spend today reflecting on the tragedy of September 11, I too must reflect on the events of that day.
I was there.
It began just like any other day for me. I took the blueline into work from my apartment on Capitol Hill. Making my usual stop at Starbucks before walking to my office on E Street, just two blocks from the White House. I entered the American Red Cross National Headquarters office and made my way to the third floor. My colleagues and I in the Communications Department normally had the televisions on our desk tuned into the news or the weather. My news of preference was the Today Show. Katie and Matt cheerfully delivered the news everyday. Then the breaking news story, a plane has drifted off course and hit one of the World Trade Center buildings. "Just a Fluke" flashed through my mind. Shortly thereafter, the other plane hit the second tower, and I thought this is not a coincidence. As we watched the first building crumble to the ground in disbelief, one of my colleagues shouted, "hey why is that plane flying over us." I went to the window just in time to see the blue and red on the plane that eventually hit the Pentagon.
Naturally, everything was chaotic. We were told that DC was under attack, the Capitol was hit, the State Department was destroyed and that there was an explosion on the Mall. Shortly, after the plane hit the Pentagon, I received one of the only cell phone calls that I would receive over the next day. It was my father. I heard the anxiety in his voice. I know he heard it in mine. I received no other calls that day. I was told that the cell phone service was scrambled. When cell service was restored, it was comforting to listen to the messages I had received from friends and colleagues all over the country.
It was scary being there. I stayed with a friend in Maryland after the attacks because I did not want to go back to my Capitol Hill apartment. I didn't sleep.
The next morning our lives were changed forever. It took me two hours by cab to get to my apartment because all of the Federal office buildings were barricaded. My apartment was four blocks from the Capitol on First Street. When I did finally get there, I quickly changed and went to the office. Still not knowing if the City I had grown to love was going to be attacked again. As a Red Cross employee and disaster trained, I like others, went into disaster mode. I really had not absorbed all that had happened or all that was changed emotionally. It finally hit me when I saw the movie United 93 just last year at the theater.
The few weeks and months after September 11 were exhausting and challenging.
I witnessed first-hand the Philanthropy and Compassion of the American people. People stood in line for hours at our office waiting to give blood. Money poured in for the victims and their families. I worked with Congressional offices and organized blood drives in the sacred halls of Congress. I fielded calls from victims of families. I learned someone I knew in Alabama had a brother who was killed in the attack on the Pentagon. I worked with him to help his sister-in-law get the help she needed from the Red Cross. The person in Alabama and I have become friends.
I will never forget September 11 and what it was like to be in Washington, DC. It is eternally ingrained in my mind. As I am sure that it is in many others' mind. Still after six years, I cannot help but feel for the victims' families.
Reflecting on that day, I know have grown professionally and personally. I also know that we must never forget about what happened.
I leave you today with something that I try to commit to put into practice everyday, professionally and personally. Maybe the events of 9-11 have made me even more committed:
Have compassion. Help others. Do good. Give all that you can give. Enjoy what you do. Make laughter part of your day.
Use your talents. Be Grateful. Persevere. Make a difference.
I was there.
It began just like any other day for me. I took the blueline into work from my apartment on Capitol Hill. Making my usual stop at Starbucks before walking to my office on E Street, just two blocks from the White House. I entered the American Red Cross National Headquarters office and made my way to the third floor. My colleagues and I in the Communications Department normally had the televisions on our desk tuned into the news or the weather. My news of preference was the Today Show. Katie and Matt cheerfully delivered the news everyday. Then the breaking news story, a plane has drifted off course and hit one of the World Trade Center buildings. "Just a Fluke" flashed through my mind. Shortly thereafter, the other plane hit the second tower, and I thought this is not a coincidence. As we watched the first building crumble to the ground in disbelief, one of my colleagues shouted, "hey why is that plane flying over us." I went to the window just in time to see the blue and red on the plane that eventually hit the Pentagon.
Naturally, everything was chaotic. We were told that DC was under attack, the Capitol was hit, the State Department was destroyed and that there was an explosion on the Mall. Shortly, after the plane hit the Pentagon, I received one of the only cell phone calls that I would receive over the next day. It was my father. I heard the anxiety in his voice. I know he heard it in mine. I received no other calls that day. I was told that the cell phone service was scrambled. When cell service was restored, it was comforting to listen to the messages I had received from friends and colleagues all over the country.
It was scary being there. I stayed with a friend in Maryland after the attacks because I did not want to go back to my Capitol Hill apartment. I didn't sleep.
The next morning our lives were changed forever. It took me two hours by cab to get to my apartment because all of the Federal office buildings were barricaded. My apartment was four blocks from the Capitol on First Street. When I did finally get there, I quickly changed and went to the office. Still not knowing if the City I had grown to love was going to be attacked again. As a Red Cross employee and disaster trained, I like others, went into disaster mode. I really had not absorbed all that had happened or all that was changed emotionally. It finally hit me when I saw the movie United 93 just last year at the theater.
The few weeks and months after September 11 were exhausting and challenging.
I witnessed first-hand the Philanthropy and Compassion of the American people. People stood in line for hours at our office waiting to give blood. Money poured in for the victims and their families. I worked with Congressional offices and organized blood drives in the sacred halls of Congress. I fielded calls from victims of families. I learned someone I knew in Alabama had a brother who was killed in the attack on the Pentagon. I worked with him to help his sister-in-law get the help she needed from the Red Cross. The person in Alabama and I have become friends.
I will never forget September 11 and what it was like to be in Washington, DC. It is eternally ingrained in my mind. As I am sure that it is in many others' mind. Still after six years, I cannot help but feel for the victims' families.
Reflecting on that day, I know have grown professionally and personally. I also know that we must never forget about what happened.
I leave you today with something that I try to commit to put into practice everyday, professionally and personally. Maybe the events of 9-11 have made me even more committed:
Have compassion. Help others. Do good. Give all that you can give. Enjoy what you do. Make laughter part of your day.
Use your talents. Be Grateful. Persevere. Make a difference.
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