nmah5507.xml

nmah5507.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-04-28

Private Shawna Humphrey, Cottage City Volunteer Fire Department, Company #2, Prince George's County, Maryland. Pentagon Rescue Worker. Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I remember it like it was just yesterday. I had just moved into Cottage City Fire Department 2 days ago. I what people refer to as a live in member. I had an interview scheduled for 10:30am. So it was about 9:00 as I was dragging my butt out of bed. It was a pretty slow night so I had gotten a fair amount of sleep. I was sitting on my bed deciding what I would wear to my job interview when a career firefighter had run into our bunk area. He was yelling that we were being attacked. He was one of the big jokers of the station so I thought he was just joking. There were only two volunteers left in the station at that time, and we were both still basically asleep. We turned on the news in the bunk area and low and behold a plane was flying into one of the world trade towers. We all kinda stood there in disbelief. About 15 minutes later is was chaos in the station. Our station was the closest to the District of Columbia so our county sent in career reinforcements. I would guess there were 30-40 people trying to figure out what they could do. When the Volunteer Chief arrived at the station, he immediately assigned a crew to every piece of apparatus in the station. Everyone ready and willing to do just about anything. In our station we have an alerting system we call the red phone, it gives 911 dispatch a direct line to any station in the county, and it rang! The District needed some help blocking off roads and reinforcements, just in case something happen. We were directed into DC! Well, we only got about half way to our destination, and what do you know, they had now rang for the 5th alarm assignment at the Pentagon!!!! We were the first due truck on the fifth alarm.. OH MY GOD!!! It was almost like a movie complete and utter awe. The adrenaline was at the highest it has ever been! Our Ladder Truck was directed into one of the many parking lots of the Pentagon. We staged in the parking lot waiting for directions for almost one and a half hours. When we were finally able to go into the main courtyard of the Pentagon it was unbelievable. There were so many people. Army, Navy, Marines, Firefighters, Police.... After about another hour of debating on what we were going to do a plan was devised. Turns out we would be the first crews to make a real "knock" on the fire. I believe there were 37 Volunteer firefighters on the 5th alarm assignment and I have never seen so many people really develop into one mind. It was like a perfect rhythm. Everyone kinda knew exactly what they were supposed to be doing and how they were supposed to be doing it. After many hours of entry and reentry into the Pentagon, our department was released, we could go home! The thing I will remember most of all was how quiet the streets of DC were. There was almost no one at all!!! A city where it takes you 3 hours to go 5 miles, and there is no one on the road. It was eerie. The many hours we were there, we had only one injury (minor). Thank GOD!! My Captain, Sean Gilligan, was definitely at his best. He kept us all together, he reassured us we would all go in together, work together, and go home together. Our Assistant Chief Leroy Mangum, was also at his best, showing his leadership and also keeping us calm so we would stay safe. The rest of the crew Private Eddie Crawford, and Private Ronnie Lawhorn, I love you guys. I always feel like Iam rambling when I talk about 9/11 so I gave the abbreviated version. GOD BLESS AMERICA

Has anyone life not changed because of 9/11??? I really realized how much in life everyone takes for granite!! Live life to the fullest and make sure you follow your dreams. God Bless America

I believe that everything about 9/11 should be remembered. Especially the unity afterwards. America will never be the same. American pride can get nothing but stronger.

Yes. Yes. There is so much more meaning to the stripes and the stars.