Extra Feature:

Life after 9.11

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Melissa and Anne

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NewsHour Extra:

New anti-terrorism bill signed into law

Anthrax reports in the U.S.

Anti-war protests

Vice President Cheney calls for caution and patience from Americans

Online NewsHour:

The Response

Stories from Florida

By: Brittany Matthews
A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts,
West Palm Beach, Fla.

I never expected to find millions of people watching and reading about events going on in my backyard.

When the attack on the World Trade Center occurred, I was shocked. When the Pentagon was hit, I was overwhelmed. When I found out how many people died, I was depressed.

When I found out terrorists had not only been living close to me and planning these awful events but now may be spreading anthrax close to my home, I was scared.

I have never been to New York. I have never seen the World Trade Center and now, unfortunately, I never will. I was in a state of shock watching them collapse on live television.

When I watched the images of the fiery Pentagon, which I had visited less than a year ago, I was overwhelmed. Too many appalling events were happening.

Since the nearest major city to where I lived, Miami, was an hour and a half away, I thought my family and I would be safe. I was naïve. So, when I found out the terrorists had not only been living and training in my county, but that they may be responsible for the spreading of anthrax, the only thought that could ease my mind had disappeared.

I thought I was safe. Safe from war, disease, or death. I thought wrong. The United States is not immune to these acts of warfare. I am not immune to these acts of warfare, and that frightens me.

September 11, 2001, changed my way of thinking forever but the events still felt distant. However, on the first day the news began reporting about anthrax in my own town, I felt more personally connected to the situation.

I didn’t know anyone who died or was involved in some way to the attacks in New York or Washington. I do know someone though, who works in the American Media building where one man died, and many others were exposed to the anthrax disease.

I am involved now. I am linked to these findings -- to the news on the television.

The questions are now …

What will happen to my county in the future?

My world? My country? My state? My backyard? Me?