FEMA: A Nation Remembers, A Nation Recovers

Your Comments One Year Later

I am proud of our country, I am proud of our people's response to this attack. Today, I pray for our Military personnel who place their lives on the line daily protecting our freedom. I pray for the Firemen and women; Police and rescue personnel who place themselves at risk daily to insure our safety. I have every faith that our country will not only recover but triumph over this tragedy, that the good we have and will create from this will far outweigh the evil that started it. We are Americans, this is what we do.

Maryann
September 10, 2002

After eight weeks of intense training, I anxiously arrived for the first day of my new career. Having worked as a paramedic for Nashville Fire Department's EMS for 24 years, I was finally trained as a "firefighter". Waiting for this opportunity since being a kid; it was now a childhood dream come true. My assignment was at station 39, one of the four new Paramedic Advanced Life Support Engines. This was the beginning of a new era for me and the Department.

It was just after 8:00 a.m. We had walked into the office from checking all of the equipment; hoping to never use it - but readying it just the same. The scene on the television was confusing. The first plane had just hit and information was sketchy.

I called my wife and we watched in horror and disbelief as the second plane hit. Both in shock, I knew this was terrorism. We exchanged "I love yous" as she left for work. The crew stayed glued to the television until we had to leave for physicals. While waiting, we watched in horror as the first tower collapsed, followed by the second. I called my wife again. We exchanged more information and more "I love yous".

A few hours later my crew returned to the station. Another phone call to my wife. Upset and nauseated, she had just heard there were at least 200 firefighters missing and/or dead. This was not a reassuring way to start a new career. I tried to reassure her the best I could. We stayed glued to the television all day and night. I can not even remember if we made any calls that day.

A lady with her eight year old son stopped by that night with a plate of fresh baked cookies. Her son insisted his Mom do this for us. I was about his age when I knew I that I wanted to be a firefighter. This gesture really warmed our hearts.

How has this day affected me? It has been a difficult "roller coaster" of emotions. I have learned to enjoy and appreciate life much more. I have tried to get closer to family, friends, co-workers, and my God. I have displayed the American flag at every opportunity.

I started my "new" career on what history will record as the worst loss of life -- both civilian and Emergency Services. This is of course, the worst disaster this country has ever seen on her own soil since Pearl Harbor. I can honestly say, I have never been prouder to join a profession of ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things. I just hope I can live up to the expectations of my fellow firefighters who perished.

Now more than ever, we must be tolerant of our fellow man . We must never, ever, forget all of the victims and heroes. We must support the men and women who fight everyday to protect our freedom.

Jay
Nashville, TN
September 10, 2002

On September 10, 2001, my greatest concern was whether or not my laser eye surgery would go well the next day. Questions like, will I really be able to see better, or will my eyes just get worse? I never thought that my eyesight, as well as my own life's vision would change as much as it did the next day.

Since then, much has changed in my life. My eyesight is 20/20, I've gotten married, I'm a volunteer with my local EMS Rescue Squad, and my thoughts and feelings about my country have become more passionate than I could have ever imagined. I work in midtown Manhattan. Normally, my commute's route takes me to the city in such a way that I would always catch a glimpse of the towers. I would have been in the tunnel to the city as the first plane hit. I was glad that I wasn't. Many things happened that day that convinced me that things do happen for a reason. I had my surgery scheduled that morning which kept my then girlfriend and I together and away from the city. Because of the events of that day we both joined our Rescue Squad and are currently in the process of becoming EMTs. After the tragedy, I went into work on Thursday for three hours before all of the bomb threats in the area convinced me to go home. I didn't go into work until the next week. Between then and the next couple of weeks, my then girlfriend, later wife and fiancee, decided we needed to do something to keep our minds occupied and put ourselves through a therapy of sorts. We came up with an idea of making red, white, and blue ribbons to hand out. We ended making over 1000 of these ribbons that we handed out to friends, family, coworkers, and
anyone who would take them when we had them.

I must apologize for this note - I know it must seem very trivial and rambling. I just thought that putting these thoughts down somewhere would help me cope with tomorrow's anniversary. I wear a memorial bracelet with Gregg Froehner's name on it. He was a PAPD officer who made the ultimate sacrifice that day. He also was a member of my church with three children and wife. I'll never forget seeing his family on the following Sunday morning. This bracelet reminds me of how short of a life this is, as well as what sacrifices are made everyday so we can live how we live. Thanks for letting me write this to you. Your picture presentation is put together very well. Continue all of your hard work and thank you for your service to this country.

Marc
September 10, 2002

As a couple in Tennessee together approaching the age of sixty-five, we can only vaguely remember Pearl Harbor. However, we watched this happen live on TV, 9-11-01, this most horrible event in our nation's history. We still mourn for the innocent lives of people lost from every corner and origin of our world and especially for their wives, husbands, children, family, and friends. America's defining moment is before us one year later. God Bless America!

Martha
September 10, 2002

My most secure feeling, a feeling that we can't be touched nor effected by anything or anyone outside of our borders...How Wrong was I? How was I changed? We, as Americans can never forget this day September 11,2001!! There were so many Heroes, and so many sacrifices and selflessness of immeasurable heartfelt kindness at a time when desperation was the thought of the day.

Having lost my closest, oldest friend from when we were kids...I lost a Brother that eerily Beautiful Morning and in a way...I lost my belief in was was supposed to be carved in Stone. Our American way of Life, as we knew it, for things will never be the same...again. My heart aches for the loss of Dreams and hopes, yet am encouraged by what it has turned MY way of thinking into. I was selfish, stingy, greedy and didn't even think of making time for others...and Now, I am having trouble remembering My self, as All I think of is How can I, make a difference? This may be the only chance for me to be selfless again, giving back just a little of the Greatest way of life has to offer.

I thought I was a Proud First generation American then...now, I am A Very Proud AMERICAN! I pledge My Life to you, America, and Long may our way of life LIVE.

Art
September 10, 2002

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