A Soldier's Perspective

9/11 Pentagon Tribute

When this post hits, it will be EXACTLY seven years to the minute when the Pentagon was hit by American Flight 77, killing 184 people, including those on the flight. A lot of attention will be paid to the WTC victims, but I want to specifically honor and remember those victims in Arlington. Our Servicemembers who were killed in that attack go largely unnoticed in all the hoopla surrounding what is now known as "Patriot Day" to many.

At 0943, on September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 plowed into the northwest portion of the Pentagon between the 4th and 5th corridor. If you've never been to the Pentagon, you'll have to look that up. The Pentagon is an immense place with rings, corridors and floors all numbered to prevent confusion – but I always get lost! What happened afterwards is a story that hasn't been told to my knowledge.

Almost immediately after the crash, the building was mostly evacuated. However, there were still many servicemembers, civilians, and visitors inside. Many were trapped under the rubble of pillars, desks, ceiling tiles, etc. Many troops refused to leave the area without ensuring everyone was pulled out that could be saved. Eventually the fire department arrived and began dousing the flames and trying to minimize more damage.

Troops continued to flow into and out of the building rescuing those trapped in the affected areas. They battled extreme heat, smoke, and suffocation trying to save anyone they could. Meanwhile, the fire department, realizing that the location wasn't stable and at risk of collapse, refused to let anyone else enter the building.

According to a friend of mine, there was a huge confrontation with the fire department. The firemen told the Marines and Soldiers that they were not allowed back in and even formed a line to prevent them from sneaking by. A verbal and physical altercation followed. Naturally, the military men were pissed off that they were leaving their comrades behind.

Every emergency and defense organization in this country is part of a "band of brothers (and sisters)". The firemen have theirs. The police have theirs. And the military has theirs. Those troops felt like the firemen didn't quite get it. But, they did. They knew that the building was going to collapse and wanted to save these troops' lives. It killed them to refuse the troops' entry. Sure enough, at 1010, that portion of the Pentagon that the troops were fighting for entry into collapsed. The firemen had saved their lives.

Tears began to flow on both sides as they realized that hope was fading away. Inside, some barely escaped the collapse while others perished trying to save as many as possible. At 1304, President Bush addresses the nation and says ""Make no mistake, the United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts." He then vowed later that night that "We will find these people and they will suffer for taking on this nation."

The next morning, proving to the terrorists that we "will not falter", Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld held a press conference in the Pentagon to declare that we were still open for business. "The Pentagon is functioning. It will be in business tomorrow," Rumsfeld said from a Pentagon briefing room.

As we honor this somber day, please remember our brave Pentagon troops as well as the civilians on each flight. Enjoy this tribute video.