In the air

By Daniel Raleigh: That terrible morning, I had boarded a plane from Fort Myers, Fla., to come back to Cedar Rapids. About 45 minutes into the flight, the captain said over the intercom, "There has been a national emergency, and we will be landing at Atlanta."

No other explanation was given to us until we had left the plane into the terminal. Everyone then was told, "Get your luggage and leave the airport immediately."

Security was everywhere with bomb-sniffing dogs checking out everyone's luggage. Everyone was worried what was to happen next.

I was fortunate enough to be shuttled to a hotel near Turner Field, but with barely enough money, I was stranded in that city for three days. Everything was closed down, and trying to get through to anyone that could get me out of town was next to impossible. I was finally able to rent a car and drove it back home, stopping only for gas.

I later found out that my plane had flown over where President Bush was at that particular morning.

I believe that only by the grace of God my plane was not one of the ones that was hijacked.