#73: Where Were You on September 11, 2001?

I have been sitting on this article for a few days.  It’s a little late and not completely related to private investigation but I am curious none the less.  Below explains where I was.

For some reason one of the first things I think about when reflecting on huge events or disasters is, “where were you”.  Where were you at that moment when Loma Prieta earthquake happened in 1989?  Where were you on September 11, 2001?

I was an E-4 in the Army on a field exercise in Fort Hood, Texas.  My job in the Army was a 31F which was a Network Switching Systems Operator and Maintainer.  This basically meant I was responsible for providing a phone system for those in remote locations.

I don’t remember the time of day that it was on September 11, 2001 but I remember I was laying on my cot in my team’s tent.  I had just finished a long shift and was trying to get some sleep.  A team member walked in with a concerning look on his face.  He said that he didn’t know what was happening for sure but he was told that we were on lock down and that no one was returning to base.

It wasn’t uncommon for superiors to yank our chain from time to time or for our unit to over respond to something.  With that in mind I told the team member that they were probably messing with us to keep us on our toes.

He didn’t agree with my assessment and he was right not to.

Word slowly started to reach us and all I remember hearing was the basic information that we had been attacked by terrorist.  I hadn’t seen any of the videos, nor did any of us have access to news due to our remote location.  I didn’t know about the towers, pentagon or anything else.  I just knew it was bad.

I was stationed at Fort Hood Texas.  Before the September 11^th terrorist attack people were allowed to drive in and out of base freely.  There were no check points or gate guards.  Anyone could just drive in and around base if they wanted to.  Fort Hood is the largest military base in the United States.  It is the size of a city.

A day or two passed and we were finally allowed to return to base.  The free access in and out of Fort Hood had come to a screeching halt.  Every vehicle that entered the base was inspected, sniffed by dogs, and everyone had to show identification.  If I remember correctly if you weren’t a soldier then you weren’t getting on base.

As we drove through base to get to the barracks, sniper positions on top of buildings were visible. Barricades and barbed wire were everywhere.  Everyone had a sick and uneasy feeling. We still weren’t aware of what was happening entirely.

I finally made it to may barracks and my roommate updated me on what had happened.  All the news stations were covering what had happened around the clock. My heart went out to all of the victims and responders.  It was such a senseless crime against the people of the United States.

September 11, 2001 is a wound to the United States that will forever change the way this country protects itself.

Where were you on September 11, 2001?