It’s probably safe to say that for most of us, of a certain age, Sept. 11, 2001, was a life-changer. For many people it was Pearl Harbor in real time. And much closer to home.

Like for me:

Two people that I know, (knew), died at the Pentagon.

My oldest son was catching a bus on the opposite side of the building from where the airplane crashed. My youngest son was at Dulles airport for a conference when the hijacked airplane, American Airlines flight 77, took off. The mother of a friend of my daughter’s was a passenger in the plane. There were no survivors.

A friend was scheduled to take AA77 that day, a Tuesday. But urgent business in Los Angeles forced her to change planes. She went out Monday Sept. 10 — one day before the hijacking.

To see the actual footage (not for the faint-hearted) click here.

Here at Federal News Radio (WTOP), our offices are in one of the highest points in the city. We watched the Pentagon burn for hours.

Many of us remember when we didn’t have to take our shoes, or belts, off at the airport. When we didn’t panic at the sight of a package, purse or suitcase without an owner. Those days are gone. Probably forever.

So how about you? Where were you, what were you doing? What were your thoughts then? And now?

We’d like to do a something to mark the tragedy both for those for whom it was very real, and also for younger folks for whom it is ancient history. Drop us a line. Be as brief as you can. Please send them to me at: mcausey@federalnewsradio.com.

Thanks.

NEARLY USELESS FACTOID:

By Michael O’Connell

The “BVD” in the brand of men’s underwear stands for Bradley, Voorhees & Day, who founded the brand in 1876.

Source: Wikipedia.

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