nmah2937.xml

nmah2937.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-10

My name is James McMichael, and I am a Deputy Sheriff with Arlington County. On September 11, 2001 I was standing in a courtroom when someone ran in with the news of the first tower being struck in NYC. We all thought it was an accident until the news of the second tower came in. I turned to my partner and said "we're next, we are going to get hit". The loud audible tone over our radio only meant trouble, and the news sent chills up my back, "The Pentagon is on fire", then seconds later, "Negative it was struck by a plane". From the window the grey and black smoke filled the air. I was immediately in a cruiser in route. Within minutes I was on scene and could not believe my eyes. My shock was broken by that loud audible tone again, "there is a plane headed towards the Pentagon, two minutes out". For the first time in my 4 year career I thought I was going to die, thoughts of my wife and family rushed through my head. Im sure everyone there at that moment thought the same thing, but no one showed it, not even for a second. We were determined. That day, I saw the greatest part of the human race. People from all walks came together, companies with food, supplies, etc...all gave a little that day. It was the worst day of my life because of the tragedy, but the greatest in the fact I can say that the country came together that day as a whole, and it was the proudest day of my life as a Law Enforcement Officer.

A flag has flown at my house since that day and will fly there as long as I live. God Bless America