by Telsa Michelle Crone

Special to the G21

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LOST RIVER, WV, USA - I'd like to start by saying that I am one of those people who wear their heart on their sleeve, who love fiercely and hurt profoundly. It's harder for people like me to shake some of the unfortunate images that have become such a part of our country's history. When I think about September 11, there are several pictures that come to my mind. People running down the street screaming, the burnt out shell of what was once a firetruck, and the collapse of the towers. But to me, and probably a lot more people -- namely the families of the victims in New York City -- the most haunting images of all are the ones of the people of the WTC jumping and falling to their deaths.

Up until the recent one year anniversary, I had only seen one or two photos. Not close-ups but the images were hard to handle looking at nonetheless. I knew that there would be TONS of coverage and replays of the events as they had unfolded on that terrible day. But knowing the America that I live in, the plane will hit the tower a zillion more times along with some of the other footage that we have seen enough of and certainly can do without.

This past September, I saw something that hurt me so deeply, that I haven't been able to get it out of my head. A man. Dark hair, wide eyed, black suit and tie, white shirt. And he is falling. I sat there with tears streaming down my face, and along with the sadness a feeling came over me that I wasn't expecting. Shame. I was ashamed to be witnessing the end of his life.

His death, especially in such a tragic manor, should have been his alone. I can't help but pray that the last thing he saw was not a camera flash, but we can't be sure, can we?

I remember when Princess Diana was killed in 1997, there were a lot of issues surrounding the photographers on the scene. It seemed that instead of offering emergency medical assistance, they were busy taking pictures. I will be fair in saying that every tragic event has its own set of circumstances and outcome. By taking the pictures on Sept. 11, terrorism becomes very real to us by reminding us all that we don't live in wonderland. But the pictures of the people jumping and falling from the towers are, and should be considered, totally inappropriate.

That's the last picture left with the family of some victims. The last picture.

Telsa Crone

The majority of us will always feel a deep sadness for our countries loss. But there are some of us, who after a year have yet to clean out the closet and send that gray sweater their wife liked to wear so much to the Good-will. He knows she would want someone to get some use out of it. But every time he holds it to his face, he can still smell her. And he just can't bring himself to disturb the two long strands of blonde hair from the back of it.

And then there are others who will make plans to leave town for Christmas to create a diversion because they cannot bear to hear their four year old cry for her daddy, and expect that wish list consisting only of "I want my daddy for Christmas" to go unfulfilled yet again. Point being, that same four year old doesn't need to be sitting in front of the TV, see the man falling from the sky, and recognize him as her father. Especially after you have explained to her that angels fly up to heaven, not fall down out of it.

It was his moment. And while the camera was so busy clicking away, he was probably thinking, My precious baby girl ... My dear wife I'll always love you ... My God, I am going to die!

I can honestly say that I could not look through that lens and take that picture because I don't have the guts. As human beings, how can we be so insensitive? Freedom of Speech allows us to tell the story but there has to be a line drawn somewhere. It's simple. If you can't help someone then leave it alone. The word photography is not medical terminology. And the last time I checked, paparazzi isn't slang for physician.

But I guess they thought they'd help him out by capturing the last few moments of his life. After all, what more was there to do? It's so nice the way we help each other out here in America.

The thing I would really love to see happen, is for the surviving family members to get together and push for some new human rights laws. No matter how public the event, there are certain things that should still be off limits.

These were real people, just like you and I, who liked to feel the cool sand between their toes and the warm sun on their faces. They liked the way the smell of thanksgiving dinner keeps you starving all day, and how good the lawn smells right after you cut it. They were you, they were me, they were all of us. And I hope that none of us ever have to suffer the indignity of having the end of our lives caught on film, or forever frozen in an 8x10 glossy for the entire world to see. It will be our moment. Please let them have theirs.

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This is dedicated to all the people who on the morning of September11,2001, were forced to make a choice that I pray will never have to be made again.

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TELSA MICHELLE CRONE - says of herself: "I live in Lost River,WV. with my husband and three gorgeous children. During the 32 years God has given me on this earth, I have worked in nursing and was a volunteer firefighter.The most important thing in my life is to be a good parent, which starts with being a good person. Other than that, I want to be the best damn journalist this world has ever seen and make TONS of money!!!!!" This is her second contribution to The World's Magazine.