Oral History and Research Presentation Project: 9/11 Attacks
By Nichole Aiwaz
Interviewee: Helene Aiwaz

Please State Your Full Name and Present Address


"My name is Helene Ann Aiwaz and my present address is 2926 Devon Way"

Where and When Were You Born? How Long Have You Lived at Your Present Home? Where Did You Live as a Child? What Can You Recall About Your Family Home and Neighborhood?

"I was born in Alameda, California. I have lived in my present home for four years. I grew up in Pacheco, California. I grew up with a brother, sister, and both of my parents. I had a German Shepard named Champ. I remember growing up on a street with over twenty-five kids."

What Do You Know About Your Family Surname? How Did It Originate? What Does It Mean? What Are The Traditional First or Middle Names In Your Family?

"My surname is Vetro. I've heard that it derives form the Latin word "vetus" meaning glass. Traditional names in my family are "Nick", "Joesph", "Ann", and "Rose"."

What Was Family Life Like When You Were Growing Up? How Did You Celebrate Holidays and Special Occasions? What Are Some Of The Traditions Still Carried On By Your Family?

"Family life growing up was very simple. We were an Italian middle class family that went to church every Sunday. We spent the majority of holidays and special occasions at my grandparent's house. We haven't carried out many family traditions, but one that we've stuck to is always spending the holidays with our family."

What Church Did You Attend When You Were Growing Up? What Activities Were Associated With Church? How Has The Church Affected Your Life and The Life Of Your Family?

"I grew up as a Catholic. Growing up, I attended Queen of All Saints. We usually had Sunday dinner after we attended church."

What Did You Do For a Living?

"I did retail sales for most of my life, then I became a homemaker."

What Were Your Favorite Childhood Games? Have Sports Changed Much During Your Lifetime? What Other Entertainment Have You Enjoyed?

"My favorite childhood games were tether ball, hopscotch, and kickball. I do think sports have changed. Women are much more involved in sports now than they used to be. Iv'e enjoyed music and movies."

What Effect Did 9/11 Have On Your Life?


"It made me scared to fly on planes, and it made me lose my trust in a lot of people."

What Happened Before This Event? Did You Know What Was Going On, or Were You Surprised?

"I had no idea what was going on. I remember my sister calling me at seven o'clock in the morning, telling me to turn on my t.v. I was in utter shock, and couldn't believe what I was seeing."

What Changed After This Event In Your Personal Experience? In The Larger World?

"I felt like I had to watch my back everywhere I went. Everything just felt different, and it seemed as if it would last for a lifetime."

What Changes Have You Noticed During Your Life In Such Areas As Fashion, Morality, and Technology? How Do You Feel About These Changes?

"I feel as though fashion is always repeating itself. In my opinion, morality is declining. To me, technology is creating many opportunities for future generations, and I am completely in awe of what kind of technology was have today."

What "Words of Advice" Would You Like To Pass On To Future Generations In Your Family?

"I would tell them to appreciate the people in your life and cherish the moments you spend with the ones you love the most."

What Were Your Initial Thoughts and Feelings Upon Hearing About The 9/11 Attacks?

"My first thoughts were "Why did it happen?" and "How did we allow it to get this far?" I felt angry and afraid, like something could happen at any moment."

Did This Event Affect The Way You Felt Towards People?

"Yes, it definitely did. I felt as though I couldn't trust anyone. My trust for others was completely destroyed."

As Of Now, Have Your Thoughts and Opinions Changed?

"My thoughts and opinions have completely changed. I have grown to understand that not everyone is untrustworthy. I have also learned not to believe everything I hear."

Do You Think The 9/11 Attacks Could Have Been Prevented?

"Yes, I do. I feel as if there was warning that could have been taken more seriously, and many lives could have been spared."

How Do You Think 9/11 Changed The United States? Are The Affects Still Noticeable Today?

"It has definitely changed the United States. People have become more fearful. The economy hasn't fully recovered from it either."

9/11 Facts

• Over 3,000 people were killed, including 400 police officers and firefighters
• Over 20,000 gallons of jet fuel was on Boeing 767 when it hit the north tower
• There were warnings about impending attacks from at least 11 other countries

Works Cited

• History.com Staff. "9/11 Attacks" 2010, Hisotry.com, A+E Networks, March 24, 2015
• Copyright © 2007-2010 by ae911truth.org
• "September 11th Fast Facts", September 8, 2014, © 2015 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. CNN Library, March 24, 2015
• "Facts and Figures", The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (August 2014), 9/11 Memorial. March, 24, 2015
• Danzer, Gerald A., Klor de Alva, J. Jorge, Krieger, Larry S., Wilson, Louis E., Woloch Nancy, "The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century" Sacremento, CA, McDougel Littel, 2006