Drive to Des Moines

By James Mcfadden: On a beautiful morning, September 11, 2001, I set off from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines to renew my green card at the government offices, as I am a British citizen.

I drove the two hours listening to my cassette player. When I arrived at the government offices, I had no idea what was happening in New York. I walked up the steps of the building holding an envelope with my papers. Half way up the steps, I was met by two security guards who hustled me to the wall and asked what my business was as they searched me .

I thought to myself at the time, "Wow, this is good security!" I was further screened inside before going upstairs to the immigration department. I walked into a waiting room filled with other nationals waiting to do paperwork. I could see that everyone was looking at the TV. And as I looked up, the images of the burning twin towers shocked me. Especially since it was a terror attack!

Everyone was told to go home except me. I still don't know why my paperwork was processed when everyone else had to leave.

I sat in the room, alone, thinking this is a life changing moment and life will never be the same again. I guess I was right.