story5101.xml

story5101.xml

born-digital

story

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2002-09-11

Sept. 11, 2001 began like most usual duty days at Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Ft Gordon, GA. I was at my desk sorting through the various assignments, administrative taskings, and ongoing projects that needed to be addressed and completed. I was also waiting for one of my NCOs (non-commissioned officers) to call me with details about her upcoming assignment to Europe. I'd sent her to our Personnel Administrative Center to get the details of when she was to report to her next assignment.
I vividly remember her call shortly after the 1st tower was hit. There was apprehension in her voice. She said she was at the Personnel Administrative Center and heard on the radio a plane hit the World Trade Center. She didn't know any other details. I immediately thought this was a small commuter plane and although sad, it wasn't that big of a deal...after all, small planes have crashed into buildings before. I told her to finish up her business and report to me with the details of her next assignment.
Before my NCO came back, I received a call from my wife, who also worked on post. Her office had a television and routinely had it on the post information channel and other cable news channels to stay abreast of news events. My wife told me airplanes hit BOTH of the World Trade Center Towers. I quickly began thinking this was NOT a coincidence but still didn't know the full magnitude of what was happening. My first thoughts were two small commuter planes hit each tower. A terrorist attack - probably. We DID have vague warnings of attacks on military installations prior to that day. On Ft Gordon, as on every other US military installation, we had already became what is known as a "closed post", meaning anyone without a car sticker and proper ID would be stopped and questioned at the gate. I thought it was inconceivable two large commercial airliners could hit the towers almost simultaneously.
My NCO came back and reported. She was still shaken about the first tower being hit. I told her I just found out the second tower was hit. She did not know this and again expressed her fear. I told her not to worry too much and carry out the rest of her duties. She then left my office.
Very shortly after my NCO left, my wife called me again and told me an airplane hit the Pentagon. My first thoughts were, "We are being attacked and are at war." My Colonel boss walked in my office and told me airplanes hit the two trade towers and I told him the Pentagon was also hit. The disbelief showed on his face for a moment then he replied, "this is really serious", and I nodded to him indicating that I realized this.
We went to an office with a television and watched the news reports, redundant because all channels were showing the same tragic pictures. I remember watching the first trade tower collapse and thought to myself, "Oh, my God, there is nothing anyone can do to stop this." I knew the second tower would collapse in a short amount of time and said this out loud. One of the secretaries responded, "Do you really think so?" I indicated yes. She asked, "but what about all the people?" I merely said that I hoped as many could get out as possible.
After awhile my boss returned and advised that all airplanes were ordered to land immediately. There were still eleven planes unaccounted for and a possibility they would be shot down. Never in my life has all airplane traffic been ordered to land. (For several days after it was eerie to not see or hear any air traffic.)
Later in the day we had a Command Briefing about the terrible incidents of the day. Everyone knew by this time that this was no accident but a deliberate action of war against our nation. As members of the Armed Forces we realized we very well might be called upon to defend our country. Most people seemed ready to do whatever needed to be done. It seemed the only news presented was what we'd already seen and heard on the television. We were advised to be prepared and to leave for work early the next day. How early, no one knew.
The next day and for several days after the attacks, there was nothing but mass chaos and traffic jams trying to get onto post. It took me almost an hour to "drive" the 1.5 miles to the hospital. It was almost comical to see people parking their vehicles a mile from the gate and walking to work. Many were picked up by vehicles in the front of the line and driven to their duty stations. Everyone was very patient and understanding for we had entered an era that was totally unknown to us.
On Sept. 11, 2002 we still are not sure what will happen but we stand ever vigilant and ready. May God bless us all.