foxmonkey | (no subject)

I don't normally do surveys, but.

1. Where were you when you heard about the attacks on the pentagon and WTC?
I had just arrived at work, hadn't even gotten to my desk yet; a co-worker told me about the first plane, and a few minutes later the second one hit. My mother called to tell me that the Pentagon had been hit.

2. What country/group did you suspect immediately?
Since the Oklahoma City bombing, I don't immediately assign blame to those outside our borders. We're capable of terorizing our own, unfortunately.

3. Who were you with? How did you react?
Co-workers.

When I heard about the first one I thought it was a freaky accident; the second plane brought terrorism to mind. When I heard about the Pentagon I was terrified - war within our borders became a horrific realiity at that point.

4. Who did you call first?
I can't remember if I called my mom or if she called me. But it all happened within minutes of me getting to work; I think she called me.

5. What did you do the rest of the day?

Journal entry the day after. 09/12/01, a.m.

After I got home I soaked up about eight hours worth of TV footage and news and cried my eyes out. Talked to a friend, talked to my parents.

Journal entry the day after. 09/12/01, p.m.

6. Did you have any friends or family killed in the attacks?
No, I was very lucky in that respect.

7. Do you think 9-11 should be a holiday?
It should be a day of rememberance, not an excuse for Monday off and picnics and such. Too many of our "rememberance" holidays have become excuses for frivolity. There's no frivolity in this.

8. Do you think even a % of the money donated really made it to the families?
I certainly hope so, though it's easy to be cynical. I know that there have been scams attached to the disaster, but overall I think that people are doing the right thing and making sure the money goes where it's supposed to.

9. Did you feel an increased sense of patriotism? Did it last?
I did, strongly, and I still do feel patriotic, though it's not as overwelming as it was those first few days/weeks after.

I've always been a latent patriot in that I love this place that I'm from; I acknowledge its faults, but can't think of anywhere that I'd rather live out the rest of my life. I'm an American, I'm very much in and of America.

10. Have you flown since the attacks? How soon did you fly again?
I'm not a 'good' flyer. I'm pretty terrified of flying under normal conditions. I'd probably be freaked even if I had a signed affadavit from God that things would be cool, and if he sat next to me and held my hand the entire flight. Yeah. Terrified.

So to answer the question, I have not. My father-in-law is a veteran flyer - he was back on a plane the next week, I think. It might have been two weks. But me? It'll probably be a long time.

11. Have you been to Ground Zero?
No.