Where were you during 9/11? What has changed in 20 years?

I was assigned to PERSCOM (now HRC) in Alexandria, VA.  It was located about 15 miles or so from the Pentagon.  We saw the first plane hit the WTC via video from the internet.  Then the call came in that a second plane hit the other tower.  Both our buildings were ordered to evacuate.  As we left the Hoffman Building, I remember seeing smoke rising from the direction of the Pentagon.  It was then, on the way out of Alexandria, that we heard the Pentagon was hit.  I remember thinking that I was just up there the week prior for some training...on the same side that was hit.  As we were slowly heading south on I-95, I remember seeing all of the EMS vehicles heading towards the Pentagon.  It took forever to get in contact with my wife or with anyone back home to let them know we were alright.  I remember sitting the rest of the day in front of the television almost numb watching and listening to the coverage from all three sites.

For the next thirty days, I was assisting as part of an ad-hoc DoD Casualty Assistance Center set up in Crystal City, VA.  All of the families of the victims of the Pentagon attacks were brought in.  I remember sitting in on briefings that were held twice a day to give updates to the family members on the progress being made in recovery efforts.  I remember listening as remains were recovered, some remains as small as the tip of a finger, DNA matches were made and familes were notified.  It was our mission to assist in taking the families through all of the steps with regards to filing claims, death benefits, burial coordination, etc.  As a SSG(P), it was my introduction to the duties of a Casualty Assistance Officer.  However during this time, there were five of us who handled all of the familes from the victims who were members of the Army.  Each branch of service had their own representatives.  It was a duty that I remember vividly as one of the longest 30 day periods of my life and also one of the most fulfilling.  We helped the families, made a difference and I am exrtrmely proud of that.