A year ago in “Diary of a Tragedy,” the NEWS printed the personal stories of several people directly affected by the attacks of Sept. 11. Recently, those people were asked to reflect on the past 12 months. Here is one of their stories.

Christopher Allen

On Sept. 23, 2001, Valentina Allen was born. She is the daughter of Christopher and Anna Allen of Brooklyn, N.Y. The couple said having a new life in their home, so soon after the events of Sept. 11, helped them recover from the tragedy.

“Life goes on,” Christopher Allen said. Though he and his family try not to think about the terrorist attacks, it is part of their subconscious thoughts, he said. He and his wife and father-in-law now all have cell phones. The family also has created evacuation plans for three different scenarios. The plans are quite detailed and depending on the circumstances – which they hope will never happen – they will either meet at home, in upstate New York, or in New Jersey.

“We’re cautious and more prepared for tragedy,” Christopher Allen said. “But we don’t worry much about it.”

His plans for Sept. 11 this year will consist of going to his job at Corporation Service Co. where he is a programmer-analyst. The company has planned a work stoppage, during which time employees will be served a catered breakfast, followed by the office’s own ceremony. Allen said they also will be watching television to witness the various ceremonies being held to commemorate the event.

Christopher Allen is the son of Earl and Phyllis Allen of Orono. He worked on the 87th floor of the World Trade Center, but fortunately he had gone to the voting booth on the morning of Sept. 11 to fulfill his civic duty and was 15 minutes away from the Trade