We remember

Sept. 11 left invisible marks on many of those it touched. Those who became part of the record of historic events through news photographs recall their thoughts then and reflect on their lives since.

	"I'm going to enjoy my life the best I can. I'm going to Disneyland one of these days. You bet I would fly there." Sacramento Bee/José M. Osorio

Oct. 9, 2001, City of Sacramento Parks Supervisor Ron Giarmona, far right:

What was happening: "The Fire Department and police units were just coming across the Tower Bridge on a day of remembrance for September 11. All of us in Old Sacramento work closely with police and fire so we wanted to show our support. I had mixed emotions. We wanted to cheer for them but it was a sad occasion."

How life is different: "September 11th had an impact. We have always picked up discarded or lost suitcases, briefcases or empty cardboard boxes. Sometimes people leave purses or suitcases on top of their cars and drive off. Other times we find stolen property like luggage after the thieves go through it. We thought very little of picking it up. After all, that's our line of work: clean up and pick up. After September 11th we are more cautious. We investigate it a little further to see if it is safe to handle. We are more apprehensive. But I'm no fatalist. I'm going to enjoy my life the best I can. I'm going to Disneyland one of these days. You bet I would fly there."

	"I am planning to be a good American citizen. God bless America." Sacramento Bee/José M. Osorio

Sept. 23, 2001, Faryal Said, a follower of Islam from Somalia:

What was happening: "I was at American River College picking up my kids who were studying there on Sunday, because the Islamic center was using the college classrooms. When the woman from The Bee came I was listening when she was interviewing someone else about the tragedy. I felt really bad because I have been through similar situations in Somalia. I know how bad it is to be in a war zone. The war broke out in Somalia in 1990 and I escaped in late 1997, coming to the United States for political asylum. I have experienced a time when innocent people were killed. I know how bad it can be."

How life is different: "I am very happy nobody bothered me as a Muslim woman here in Sacramento. My family was very worried because I wear a scarf. I am very proud that Sacramento is a place anybody can live. Nobody sees me as a terrorist. On the other hand, I would like our society in America to see that Islam is a religion of peace. One or two or even a million terrorists cannot represent the Muslim community all over the world. There are a lot of Islamic American people here in the United States and they would like to participate in every activity as good citizens. I go to American River College now. I am planning to be a good American citizen. God bless America."

	"I'll never forget why those flags are there." Sacramento Bee/Lezlie Sterling

Oct. 9, 2001, John Richardson, firefighter-paramedic, then with Fremont Fire Department, now with Oakland Fire Department:

What was happening: "We came in charter buses to the Day of Remembrance in Sacramento. I'll never forget that moment walking on the street. When we were making our march (from Raley Field to the state Capitol), I felt more appreciated than any other time in my life. The cheering and clapping from people along the way made my heart swell with pride in terms of being a firefighter and the risks I could be asked to take. I've only been a firefighter for six years. Saving lives on medical calls has its own reward but this is rewarding in terms of the pride you feel walking with your brothers and sisters and everyone is cheering for you."

How life is different: "It was a wake-up call. I could be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice in light of the terrorist threats all over the world. The Bay Area is a target-rich area. Terrorists could want to do away with the Bay Bridge, for example. I switched to Oakland fire because there is more action in a big city. It is an opportunity to use all of my skills. Since September 11th, a lot of the rigs in Oakland and Fremont have flags flying. I'll never forget why those flags are there."

	"But I don't worry. We are the United States. We stand strong." Sacramento Bee/José M. Osorio

Sept. 14, 2001, Roseville High School running back Rick Pearse:

What was happening: "It was pre-game. We put the flag on the helmets before that game. We lined up and we raised our helmets near the end of the national anthem. At that moment I was thinking about the game but I was also taking a time out to think about the tragedy – like other football teams all around the country."

How life is different: "Now I'm playing at Sierra College and I hope to be an entrepreneur. September 11th was a sad, terrible thing that happened. My life didn't change too much. But I do appreciate things around me more. You or I could have been on that plane. But I don't worry. We are the United States. We stand strong."

	"Personally, I've decided to have more fun and I realized even more that family is important." Sacramento Bee/Anne Chadwick Williams

Sept. 13, 2001, America West Airlines mechanic Robert Nelson in Orange County:

What was happening: "We wanted to do something to mark our first flights (after Sept. 11). We all felt bad about what happened – and thankful to be alive. We wanted to show support for the people who died. First I called all around to buy a flag but everybody was sold out. So I went home and got my own flag. I hooked it up to a long pole. As planes came in and left we greeted them with the flag. The picture ended up in quite a few different papers. My wife put the pictures in a big matted frame and gave it to me for Christmas. It hangs in my home office."

How life is different: "People realized that one minute you could be alive and the next minute you could be dead. But Americans have short memories. Life has gone back to normal for the most part. As you know, people still are not flying. Airlines are struggling. Originally, we were pretty close to being bankrupt. Then we got bailed out by the government. Our airline is doing pretty good now. Hopefully, things will get back to normal and we will have no more terrorist attacks. Personally, I've decided to have more fun and I realized even more that family is important."

	"We are not in control of our lives. God is in control." Sacramento Bee/Chris Crewell

Sept. 12, 2001, Clare MacLaughlin, Roman Catholic parishioner at Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament special noon Mass:

What was happening: "A number of things were going through my mind: ‘We are not protected. There is a helplessness.' In this helpless situation, there is a God, there is a reason and there is purpose. There is somebody we can go to. After seeing the tragedy I felt that the answer was to go into prayer. God not only could help me but also others facing this tragedy. I truly believe in the power of prayer. It was incredible to see all of those people at the cathedral."

How life is different: "Unity has come out of it. People treated each other better. It was wonderful to see the good. I think that has continued in people's behavior. I feel our faith has been enriched by the tragedy. I also feel it is really important to help our president with efforts to maintain homeland security. We should support our airlines too. I was not afraid to fly after the tragedy. I was on a plane two weeks after the tragedy going to Hawaii. We can be going anywhere and something can happen. We are not in control of our lives. God is in control."

	"It has simply made me more aware of my surroundings. I still have not had the family reunion. I'm sure I will." Sacramento Bee/Chris Crewell

Sept. 11, 2001, California Highway Patrol Officer Dave Montijo and Labrador retriever Wizard:

What was happening: "To protect the Capitol we decided to check parked cars surrounding the building just to make sure there were no explosives in them. Wizard was a rookie when that picture was taken, fresh out of (explosive detection) school. I was supposed to head back to the East Coast for a family reunion, September 11th being my first day of my vacation. I got a phone call from family on the East Coast telling me to turn on the television. Watching the events unfold, I knew we should not be traveling so I volunteered to come back to work. I got Wizard out of the boarding kennel and went to work."

How life is different: "Before, there was a low level of threat. Now everything is a potential target and everything is a potential bomb. Commonplace items such as aircraft can be used as weapons. I am more worried than before September 11th. But I'm not going to let that worry paralyze anything I'm doing. It has simply made me more aware of my surroundings. I still have not had the family reunion. I'm sure I will."