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

Old?  I'm not old!

However, I was at (then) Fort Lewis in formation waiting on our BDE CSM to do a Class A inspection.  He came in and told us what happened.  It was a long day and I'll forever be grateful for my in home daycare provider who kept my son for a week to help my spouse and I out (both Active duty) while we worked crazy, unpredictable hours!

I was at Ft. Myer, VA rehearsing a ceremony in C-Hall (you know it if you have been stationed there).  It was close enough to the pentagon that we heard and felt the explosion.

By that time, it was mass confusion.  News reports were saying everything form the Pentagon, to the Capital Building, to the White House were attacked by rockets, car bombs, planes, etc.  My company made our way back to our barracks building on Ft. McNair in D.C. by bus, but with the gridlock traffic we ended up running through the streets of D.C. to get back.  Luckily we were all in our PT uniform.

When we got back to the barracks, we locked down and started guarding the building.  What blew my mind was that we were guarding with full battle rattle, but instead of a weapon we had a riot shield and baton.  I asked my Squad Leader what I was supposed to do with a plastic shield and baton if a plane comes at the building, which earned me a few push-ups ;-) The next day we started doing 12-hr rotations at the Pentagon, going in to search for survivors, remains, evidence, etc.

Sept 11th is a day that I will never be able to forget, nor the weeks following.  The sights, sounds, and smells will be forever burned into my memory.