This document really gives the reader an inside look at what went on that day. The descriptions people give of the crash, the smoke and fire, trying to find their way out...all of it makes a person feel like the are right in the middle of it. The reader can try and get a sense of the chaos there must have been and yet, there seem to be order in the middle of it all. Many commented on how people formed human chains to get out, how people broke themselves into teams to go back into the building to get supplies, and people taking charge while others asked what they could do. There was no doubt a lot of panic and fear going on, there was also a lot of clear thinking being done. People stepping up and doing what needed to be done no matter who gave the orders.
One interesting fact was that while people at the scene were very cooperative and tried to help in any way they could, once they left the area they found a different scene. The roads were packed with cars going in each direction some driving slowly to look at the wreckage of the Pentagon and were not quick to move for the ambulances trying to get through. You will read accounts of people in the ambulances getting out and banging on cars to get people to move out of the way. Even with a police escort, one ambulance had trouble getting through to the hospital.
This document is suggested to anyone who is interested in personal accounts from 9/11. It is nothing but stories and a few illustrations. Some stories were submitted accounts and others are read as interviews. Each story is personal and detailed.
This item is available for check out. It normally resides in the "D" section with a sudoc number of D114.2: P38. However, this month it is part of the Documents Through the Decades display on the third floor. It is still available for check out. It will need to be removed from the display case. This can be done by contacting either Molly Hoeper in room 305 or Regina Pauly in Room 303. At the end of the month, it will be returned to its usual spot in the collection.