RESIDENTS REFLECT ON IMPACT OF ATTACKS.

Byline: BRAD A. GREENBERG Staff Writer

America lost so much that day five years ago when nearly 3,000 men and women -- regular people going to work or traveling across the country or simply doing their jobs -- were killed in a few terrifying moments.

And on this milestone anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, we're still counting our very personal losses.

Parents fear their children will have to fight wars against unknown and merciless enemies. Some people are afraid to fly, while others lament the inconveniences of new security that has changed air travel. Immigrants now face miles of red tape in realizing a dream to remain in this scarred country.

Here are how some Southern Californians say the events known collectively as 9-11 have changed their lives, casting a shadow that remains five years later:

Randall Schwartz, 52, of Sherman Oaks, attorney:

``It doesn't directly affect my everyday life, but I think it has created an environment that hangs over all of our lives. It's something that we deal with daily in terms of directly the war in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, activities like traveling, flying; and we have new concerns we never had before. We never worried much about terrorism as much of an issue in the United States. Now all of a sudden it is something we have to worry about.''

Ismael Ruiz, 56, of Van Nuys, tailor:

``It's been affected in too many ways. The worst one is immigration affairs. I am an American citizen. But even though I am an American citizen, I have been having big problems trying to get my daughter a green card. I've been waiting for nine years and will probably have to wait five or six more.''

Juliana Ortega, 23, of San Fernando, student at California State University, Northridge:

``You're more aware, especially when you come to places like the federal building or the courthouse. You are more aware of your surroundings. ... I am a resident and I am trying to get my citizenship and it is taking a little longer because they are making sure people are legit. Aside from that, it's like when you go to concerts or anything else, it is just more security, the normal stuff. Everybody has gotten used to that already.''

Philip Wilt, 83, of Van Nuys, World War II veteran:

``It was almost beyond belief, to see those planes going into the tower. I could see the horror and panic in the victims' faces. It was a needless loss of life, liberty, and peace.''

Wilt also decried the loss of American lives in the ``unwinnable war'' in Iraq and Afghanistan. ``I think we've moved backward. There is more ill will out there toward us and we are more disliked and distrusted.''

Michelle Hernandez, 25, of Glendale, answering-service operator:

``I won't go on a plane again. I'm just scared. I saw the movie `World Trade Center,' and I just cried the whole movie. It made me so sad.''

Jesse Roberson, 56, of Saugus, probation officer:

``It hasn't impacted me at all. It doesn't affect me because I am not directly involved. I don't have to worry about going to war. I have peace of mind; I have a home and a stable position in life. I'm not afraid of flying. And I'm not afraid of people.''

Ronnie Aberg, 67, of North Hollywood, retired letter carrier:

``I don't care to keep re-living it all the time ... but I'd never forget. It don't take much to be reminded anyway. Sometimes you can just see certain people and you can be reminded. ... But at the same time, realizing that, I try to understand it for what it is and not get carried away by the idea that just because I see somebody who in some way reminds me of it, it's not their fault either. Otherwise it can lead a lot of people to being overly prejudiced -- I don't want it to -- lead them to feel hate. That's how hate starts.''

Agnes Opara, 29, of Encino, nurse:

``It used to be easy to travel with family. Not anymore. You can't go with anything anymore. It's become very uncomfortable. You have to go through all these searches, the random searches. It's no longer fun to travel. It's like if you are running 30 minutes late, you are definitely going to miss that flight. ... It's like we are living by their rules. But that is OK. As long as people are safe.''

Kevin Futvoye, 30, of Thousand Oaks, electronic salesman:

``I don't think it is something any of us are ever going to forget, especially with what is going on with Bush. ... It opened everybody's eyes to how not secure we were. The most powerful country and nation, it really showed us how vulnerable we can be.''

Shaharazarde Williams, 31, of Culver City, teacher:

``I have friends that are Arab. At first it created some tension between us. But, when it comes down to it, we are still friends and family. It's also brought in my perspective on the world. At the same time, I'm bombarded by, I feel, lies from the government. It has affected me trusting the government, what I have been told.''

Michael Win, 39, of Burbank, attorney:

``You have to be more cautious about the things you do and you don't take things for granted. You could go down the street and your car might blow up the next day. You try to live your life the best you can and just be cautious about the people around you.''

Larry Hopkins, 54, of Lancaster, LAPD motorcycle mechanic:

``It makes me a little nervous about all the terrorist attacks going on in the world. ... There is just a lot of tension: What's going on in the Middle East, this thing with Iran. Iran is backing all the terrorists in the Middle East, it seems like. Looks like there is going to be something very serious happening there before long. Not to sound like a doomsday predictor, but it doesn't look good. And any day I am expecting something to happen in the United States, like the World Trade Center, maybe closer to here in California.''

Helena Derovanessian, 63, North Hollywood, retired travel agent:

``It was awful what happened. You wake up in the morning and you see that on TV. It was awful. Nothing like this has ever happened, nobody even contemplated it happening. It was awful, awful. But I think people in general are so egotistic in thinking about their own problems, when you are far from it, you don't really feel it that much. You just feel bad for a little bit and hope that that doesn't happen here.''

Caroline Sabey, 40, of Reseda, stay-at-home mother of two:

``I still think about it a lot, because now that I have boys I am so just scared of their future and what they have to deal with when I am gone and I can't protect them. Just the way the schools are going to be now, the things they are going to be taught in school about terrorism. I mean, it is pretty scary, and the world is getting a lot scarier for them. I remember when we came to the States, we didn't fear anything. We went to school, we didn't fear anything. And now, it's like if you want to go to a Middle Eastern restaurant, you get nervous, you don't know what to expect. We're Armenians, we come from Iran, but we have been here so long I can't even relate to some of the people in that country, about their mentality to America.''

Jennifer Sutton, 39, of Van Nuys, caregiver:

``My life has been affected because we always have to be vigilant of our surroundings. Not only that, when you travel, you are extra cautious about anything on the airplane that looks suspicious, or in the airport. I think it has added a little stress to our lives as far as how we congregate. We are very careful when we are out, I think. It also has made me appreciate life a lot more, and appreciate our government -- scratch the government -- appreciate our military. Appreciate our military and what they do for us when these kids volunteer to serve our country. Our protection is in their hands. They are doing everything to protect us that they can.''

William Osorio, 34, of North Hollywood, postcard and business card printer:

``There was a lot of sadness because it's something that was symbolic for the country ... and we have to continue with the fight against the terrorists to keep us safer here.''

Jessica Brown, 14, of Van Nuys, student:

``America was just kind of asleep. They were comfortable with themselves until this happened. So it just kind of woke them up. I was pretty young when it happened ... so I didn't really understand what it meant at the time. I kind of understand it now, and there hasn't really been an attack since 9-11, so we are still on our toes. It is just, I guess it doesn't affect me at all.''

Allison Fields, 59, of West Hills, theatrical distributor:

``I think the political situation, they are using this as a scare tactic, breeding fear. They changed it from going after terrorists to making terrorists into a bogeyman. ... Whenever the powers that be are in trouble, they resort to terrorism as an excuse, and I just think the political nature of the country right now is very bad.''

CAPTION(S):

19 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) President Bush, above, and his wife, Laura, lay a memorial wreath in a pool of water at ground zero Sunday. Left, Jody Greene, 11, of Greenwich, Conn., daughter of Flight 93 passenger Donald Freeman Greene, places a teddy bear at the temporary memorial in Shanksville, Pa.

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

(3 -- color) SCHWARTZ

(4 -- color) RUIZ

(5 -- color) ORTEGA

(6 -- color) HERNANDEZ

(7 -- color) ROBERSON

(8 -- color) ABERG

(9 -- color) OPARA

(10 -- color) FUTVOYE

(11 -- color) WILLIAMS

(12 -- color) WIN

(13 -- color) HOPKINS

(14 -- color) DEROVANESSIAN

(15 -- color) SABEY

(16 -- color) SUTTON

(17 -- color) OSORIO

(18 -- color) BROWN

(19 -- color) FIELDS