Posted November 8, 2001. It's been almost 3 months since my last article. The World Trade Center incident still lingers on my mind and what I did that particular day.

     As I left for work with coffee in hand, I saw the first plane hit the first tower on TV. I said to myself, "damned amateur pilots!" I was shaking my head in utter disbelief.

     The cruise to work wasn't so bad... Not much traffic here in the foothills of the Carolinas anyway. We had just connected the antenna of the TV (no cable yet) and I was happy I bought one of those cheap rabbit antenna ears. That's when I saw the second plane hit the second tower. Now how could these pilots be so dumb? Two planes hitting the twin towers? Then that's when blood rushed to my head, and the unthinkable became reality.

     I wasn't surprised about terrorism in this country. My general feeling was When and Where it will happen. Surely, in 1993 it happened at the World Trade Center, but not for a second time! Why would it occur in this day of 9-11-2001. It was a nice sunny day that turned into gloom. Like everyone else who has shared the comforts and freedom of this country, I too shed a tear that day. Not for the destruction of this magnificent monument but for the lives lost that were innocent. People who go to work each day and spend all their time with people they don't love so they can earn a decent living and provide lavish comforts to their family.

     Maybe I am melodramatic but the first instinct I had was to go home and spend time with my family. I know the rest of those who share this feeling wanted to do the same. Here we are practically imprisoning ourselves in these big buildings to earn a buck. Then tragedy happens. Your work place becomes your tomb. It was unbelievably sad that day. Like Rolour, I shed countless tears whenever I hear the songs America the Beautiful, the Star Spangled Banner ... and so on and so forth. Maybe I have turned American in emotion ever since I relinguished my being "Pinoy" years ago. Now I feel what being an American is ... no creed, no color, no language .... I can only sense the Spirit of Freedom... and how precious it is ...to have it in the palm of your hand. America will never be the same.

     Then I remembered how cautious Filipinos have been in their lifestyle. Freedom does come with responsibility. When it comes to safety we can never be so protective and cautious in our dealings. Being prepared for the worst has always been a trait I had carried on since I lived in the city of Baltimore. Once dubbed the most dangerous city in America. Yeah, I had my car broken into before and almost stolen, but what it really left was a broken sense of security and a suspicious temperament.

     So I guess, following this malicious violation of our God-Given Freedom, will come out a Country so strong on its conviction, so united in its purpose. We pray, Justice Will Prevail. Then one day, I drove past a church who has this sign at its bulletin board "The Good News is, The Civil War is over". So be it ... a fragmented America .... United by this tragedy in immense proportions. I guess good will come out of it, brother.

     I remain.

     Jesse

     E-mail the author at jrconsing@manofmed.com

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