I guess my story isn’t any different from any American that was not touch first hand buy the events of September 11. I had stayed out late the night before and decided to skip class and sleep in. My sister woke me up around 9:30. She was muttering something about what was going on in the new but I payed no attention to what she was saying because I wanted to sleep. I finally dragged myself out of bed and decided to turn the TV on and watch some videos to wake me up. I remember turning the channel to VH1 but music videos or anything else related to the station wasn’t on. I say the Twin Towers smoking. My first thought was my God someone has bomb the trade center AGAIN. But then the news station started playing back the scene of the planes deliberately crashing into the twin towers. They’re are no words to describe the feelings that I had when I saw this. I guess I was hurt, appauled, and scared. I called my dad and my step mom because the both work in refineries to see if they had heard what was going on and to see if everything was ok in the plant. After that I called my best friend in Atlanta who informed me that Atlanta was in LOCK DOWN. While we on the phone we witnessed together, Tower Two collapsing. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t move, the tears were streaming down my face. I could not believe what was going on. How could this happen in this day and age. How could someone have this much hate that they would extinguish the lives of some many innocent people. My best friend and I sat on the phone crying trying to comfort each other. Against my better judgement I went to work. I wanted to stay home and not miss a second of what was going on but I did have a responsibility to my job. But I wasn’t just going to work terrified and in shock, I was going to go to work and show that Yes we are in a state of emergency but No I will not deny my pride for my country, especially in this time of needs. I worked at Old Navy so before I went to work I went down to the local craft shop and purchase a small flag. I was going to show my pride for my country. Today, my life is forever changed by the events of 9/11, but I’ve decided that I would turn this incredibly terrible situation into something good. I am very proud of my country and the things we believe in. I am more involoved in my community and in helping the lives of others that can benefit from me. I am determined to fight for my country and my freedom, I am no longer just a person who lives in America, I am a person who loves this country and will do what every it takes to protect our freedoms and our rights. Because after all FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!!!