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Please be advised that this is an off topic message. It has nothing
to do with trading real or otherwise. Feel free to delete it now.
For some of my fellow Americans it may be of interest because it is a personal
recollection of the Sep 11 attack on the Pentagon. For anyone this annoys
accept my apologies in advance.
bob
<FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>Pentagon Attack 11 September 2001By Chaplain
(Colonel) Robert J. Jenkins, survivorSeptember 11, 2001, day one.
All ten of us Command Chaplains servingCommander In Chiefs (CINCS) from
around the world (ten of us) had justconcluded morning devotions in the
Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)conference room in the Pentagon, had
been given an overview for the week'sannual Strategic Planning Conference
conducted by the Joint Staff Chaplainand were on a ten-minute break when we
were all called immediately backtogether to pray for the victims of the
Trade Center attack now flashing onthe briefing screen. Right after
that prayer I was on the phone returning acall to my deputy command chaplain
in Korea when I heard a very deep "boom."Immediately everyone was
exiting the conference room and franticly waving atme to follow. I
hung up the phone and followed the orderly mass of peopleexiting the
building. As we turned around we could see dark billowing rollsof
smoke rising directly opposite from where we were. No one was panicking.No
one was running. All of us were stunned in disbelief. We moved to
theedge of the walkway and watched the smoke rise. Some were asking if
it wasa bomb. No one knew.Word quickly passed through us that
a plane had crashed into the other sideof the building. The smoke was
worse now. Suddenly security personnelbegan yelling at us to move off
of the walkway and across the road to theriver. Another plane was
supposedly inbound for a second strike. No oneseemed to panic, but
anxiety obviously rose as folks now very quickly moveddown the steps and
across the road. I lost sight of my master sergeant, butI knew she got
out ahead of me. In utter disbelief, I too moved to theroad. An
F-16 suddenly screamed by overhead and caused everyone to duck.Some uttered
words that probably reflected what many others were at leastthinking.
A policeman said the aircraft had been identified as friendly.We were
relieved.Casualties began emerging toward us from inside the
building. Some werewalking on their own while others were being helped
or carried. Voices werecalling for anyone with medical experience to
identify themselves.Chaplains were assisting the wounded. Some were
holding IV bags in the air,others praying, comforting and encouraging those
injured. I moved fromvictim to victim to offer support. Prayed
with a few. Stayed with sometill we could put them in a vehicle headed
for a hospital. One black majorwas badly burned and his skin was
hanging off his arm. It was a frenzy ofactivity.They asked for
volunteers to gather to try to go back into the building tobring out any
more survivors. Time was of the essence. I stepped forwardand
was made leader of team 2. No one in that group was thinking of
theirown safety. We were now focused on getting our comrades out of
there aliveand to safety. With surgical masks and gloves on we quickly
moved acrossthe road and back into the building. We could see through
the smoke, butthe air was thick with fumes. It was hard to breath, but
we kept movinguntil we emerged into the courtyard and fresh air.
Firefighters were tryingto put out the spreading fire. No one yet knew
the extent of damage orfire.The volunteers were organized into
search and rescue parties. I was nowmade team leader of team
four. Each of us shook hands and introducedourselves by our first
names. A two-star general was on my team, but rankor service status
wasn't even a thought among us. We were Americanvolunteers focused on
only one thing, i.e., getting our folks out of aburning building
alive. I was asked by our team to pray before we went in.No one asked
what "faith" I was. It didn't seem to matter. I was achaplain
and I prayed for us all. Soon a firefighter yelled for our team
tofollow him into the building. Though we could see through the smoke,
thefumes were so strong that after about a hundred feet in we had to
withdrawback out into the courtyard to wait. We exited coughing and
moved towardbetter air.The longer we waited the more we realized the
chances of getting anyone elseout alive were diminishing. The fire was
spreading. We had no news. Somebegan using their cell phones to
let their loved ones know they were okay.An agent let me use his to call
Carol. I let her know I was okay. She saidto me, "I believed in
my heart that you were okay and, if you were, youwould be ministering to
those hurt." My own emotions began to rise and Icouldn't talk more to
her. I knew from my Viet Nam and Desert Shield &Storm experiences
that I needed to keep my own emotions in check and my mindfocused on the
mission at hand. That mission to me was twofold: one,inspire
those around me to hope and, two, to do what I could to help.
Idismissed the thought of what if none of us here could get out of
thecourtyard alive. Me saying to those around me to "stay focused on
our task"helped me to stay focused as well. It was about 3 PM now, the
fire wasstill spreading and we were still waiting. Waiting was getting
harder todo.I went over to the folks responsible for setting up a
temporary mortuary onthe far side of the courtyard. They were anxious
too. One soldier sharedher concern about her son coming home and
seeing that she wasn't there. Ioffered words of encouragement, support
and prayer. They were all gratefuland said so. I moved back to
my group as were now told were now going tohave to move through the building
to the blast side. Our anxiety rose.A firefighter who knew the way
led us back into the building. We couldstill see through smoke, but
the fumes were worse. It was a very long andwinding walk and I had no
idea where in the Pentagon we now were, but wekept moving. At one
point we had to turn around and go a differentdirection. Some voiced
concern that we might be lost, but no one panicked.We stayed together and
kept moving through the smoke. As we went by thenArmy Chief of
Chaplains office I instinctively gave a thumbs up. I heardseveral
behind me chokingly utter, "Hooah." I didn't look back. We
keptmoving. Breathing through the wet towel around my face helped a
little, butwhen we finally emerged out the other side of the building I
joined theothers who were coughing out the smoke. It was
awful.Moving around to the side of the Pentagon we could now clearly see
theimpact area to the outside of the building. We were as awestruck as
wejoined the thousands of other people looking on. No one could
believe thiswas actually happening. Moving into place to wait to be
called forth, folksshouted words of comfort and support to us. Bottles of
water were passed ourway. I saw some of my fellow chaplains and left
my team for a few minutesto greet my brothers. They were as stunned as
we were, but were alreadyactively providing ministry all over the
grounds. After about 30 minutes,16 teams of 12 each volunteers moved
into place to attempt to enter thebuilding from the impact side to rescue
any survivors. I was now leader ofteam 4. We were instructed to
not lose sight of the buddy we were pairedunder any circumstances. I
asked a blessing upon our team. We were ready.Emotions were
high. It was now about 5 PM. Just before we were going to belead
in, LTG Van Alstyne came over and asked for the volunteer leaders tohuddle
around him. We did.LTG Van Alstyne thanked us for volunteering and
for what each of us waswilling to do, but we were not going to now be
needed. He said it was muchtoo dangerous, we didn't have the proper
safety equipment and enough searchand rescue workers were now on the
scene. He told us that probably no oneelse would be thanking us, but
he thanked us for what we were willing torisk for others. He told us
the Old Guard was arriving to assumeresponsibility for the operation along
with the other various agenciesresponsible. As we dispersed he
recognized me and stopped to speak to me.It was good to see him in
charge.Now the Old Guard had the mission to bring out remains. It
was no longerbeing considered a rescue operation. No one believed
anyone could still bealive in the intense heat, smoke and toxic fumes.
Still some were hopeful,praying. One young soldier told me his fiancé
was on the phone talking toher friend and suddenly screamed and then phone
went dead. He said hebelieved she saw the plane just before it hit
near the window of her officein DESPER. He said he knew she was dead,
but he wanted to join the mortuaryteam and go in to help retrieve her body.
I asked if she was a Christian andhe said that she was and so was he.
We talked about the eternal hope weChristians have Christ and the
resurrection yet to come. He was comfortedand so was I.Across
the way I saw General Shelton being led our way with others in tow.As he
passed by I saluted and he nodded. I remembered I had told him as
hisCommand Chaplain at USSOCOM that I felt he would be leading our
nationduring one of its darkest hours. I wondered if he remembered and
I wished Ihad been wrong.I reported to the Chaplain's tent.
The Military District of Washington(MDW) Command Chaplain was in charge of
ministry operations on the grounds.He welcomed my help. I walked among
the various types of workers-police,fire, rescue-offering words of support
and encouragement. I was surprisedat how many voiced their thanks and
appreciation that chaplains were sovisible and directly involved. As I
visited the soldiers setting upmortuary affairs, I was asked to help and so
agreed. A civilian there whohad been a soldier in Korea said his
girlfriend had been in the area of theblast. He didn't think she was
alive, but he wanted to help bring herremains out. Understandable, but
I knew that was not going to be permitted.An emotional reaction could
jeopardize the safety of the whole team. Westood silently together
still staring in disbelief at the burning buildingfor a long
time.Teams were now formed to go into the building to remove bodies.
There werefour of us chaplains. After the FBI would photograph and tag
the remainsinside the build and indicate location found, the Old Guard
soldiers wouldput the remains into body bags, two chaplains (protestant and
catholic)would pray a blessing over the remains before they were carried out
of thebuilding to a refrigeration truck waiting with a medical team and
chaplaininside. A doctor would pronounce death and, after that the
remains would beescorted to a controlled FBI holding area at the end of the
Pentagon.Respect for the dead and chain of custody were of paramount
importance. Iwas designated the Protestant Chaplain and Chaplain Rick
Spenser designatedthe Catholic Chaplain who would pray over the remains
inside the building.Both of us could feel the weight of the responsibility,
but both of us alsofound relief and strength through prayer and the
knowledge that what we weredoing for the living and the dead was necessary
and a sacred honor.Father Spenser and I hit it off instantly. I
could sense in his demeanor aquiet confidence and see in his eyes deep
spiritual strength. Neither of usknew what we were getting into, nor
just how much we ourselves would needGod's grace and strength in order to
provide meaningful and effectiveministry to those assembled around us.
We walked among the soldierslistening, offering words of encouragement and
hope, praying with some andsilently praying for all and for each
other. The fire continued to consumeand nightfall was upon us when we
were told there would be no entering thebuilding tonight. After being
told to report back at 0700 the next morning,Chaplain Spenser and I looked
for something to eat as we headed to the MDWChaplain operations
tent.It was now 2220 hours. I was exhausted and very aware of the
intense painin my left heel and in my right calf. I hadn't noticed I
was limping tillsomeone asked if I was okay. Someone else gave me a
sandwich to eat and abottle of water. I couldn't remember how many
bottles of water I hadalready consumed, but I needed a few more. I
kept my black sweater on allday because I didn't have all the stuff that
goes on the military shirt.That made me sweat more, but also provided
additional protection. Besides,I was in the military and was not about
to appear disrespectful at a timelike this.I started walking toward
my hotel (Sheraton National near the Marine CorpsBarracks at Henderson Hall,
about a mile), but the pain in my foot and legwouldn't allow me to get very
far. A policeman offered me a ride and I tookit. Glad I did
because up the hill I would have had to walk throughhundreds of media folks
spread across the hill. I thanked the officer andlimped up the
walkway. My Master Sergeant saw me and headed toward me.
Shehugged me and was so relieved to see me because she didn't know if I
hadmade out for sure. It was a touching moment, but I felt bad I had
causedher so much additional worry. I told her to go ahead drive with
the NavyChief back to South Carolina, but to be careful.My room was
as I had left it at 0700 in the morning. It had not beencleaned
because the FBI locked down the top floors and put snipers on theroof.
All the cleaning teams were confined to the first floor. Made sense.No
one knew what was happening or what could happen next. What a day.
Icalled the desk and they sent up some towels. I was a mess.
Sunburned,dirty, exhausted and still stunned by the day's events.
After a long hotshower, I listened to eleven voices messages on my room
phone. I calledCarol and told her I was okay, but continue to pray
because we didn't knowwhat tomorrow would bring. I couldn't talk
more. It was midnight and Ifell asleep.September 12, day
two. After a very restless night's sleep, I awakenedbefore my alarm
was to go off at 0500. Pain exploded up my heel and shot upmy leg as I
stood up and that meant I was alive. I wondered how many
werenot. Looking out my window I could see smoke drifting across the
skylinefrom the Pentagon. CNN showed the tragedy in New York. I
couldn't believemy eyes. It looked like a movie and somehow Bruce
Willis would end it allokay, but this wasn't a movie and the dead and
injured were truly many. Mymind was still struggling to embrace the
enormity of it all as I began mymorning devotions by turning to the readings
for the day in "For All TheSaints, A Prayer Book For and By the
Church." After some time in meditationI wrote the following
prayer:It is now the first morning following our darkest day. Oh
God, I affirm youalone are almighty and your love endures forever. As
we the living are thismorning bowed low in grief for those who suffer in
this disaster that hascome upon us, let us not rise in vengeance for
vengeance is yours alone.Rather, O God, let us turn to you and in our
turning may you renew yourspirit within us all. Enable us to again
take to heart the words, "In GodWe Trust" In our trusting you, enable us to
not just "say" we love you, butenable us to "show" we do indeed love you in
how we love all of ourneighbors.We acknowledge that you, O God,
birthed our nation free and it is by yourgrace and mercy that we remain
so. Raise our spirits from the ashes aroundus and let us more deeply
embrace the understanding that the foundation ofour country and our people
is not ultimately built upon our military oreconomic might, but our ultimate
power and wealth is centered in thoseenduring values that make us truly
American and for which our flag stands.Lead us out of this dark
night-one and all, O God-to rededicate our nationaland personal life to
you. Raise our flag from half-staff to symbolize toall of the nations
of the world that America and Americans stand firm forfreedom with
righteousness and justice with mercy for all. Enable each oneof
us to serve both God and country with a renewed sense of integritybefitting
honor-no matter what or where. Amen.At 0640 hours I painfully
walked down the hill and reported in to the MDWChaplain operations tent and
then rejoined the mortuary affairs group tobegin the day's work. After
some time of sorting through jurisdiction andprocedural concerns the team
was ready to move into place. I stepped uponto a box and reminded
everyone though the day's task would be hard andgruesome; it was our sacred
duty and honor to remove our fellow Americanswith care showing the proper
respect and dignity due each of them. Then Iasked God's blessings upon
us all and there were many "Amen's."We were stopped from moving into
place because of renewed fire concerns andadditional structural concerns on
the left side of the building. Allagreed however, it would be
even worse if we got rescuers injured or killed.No one around us believed we
would find anyone alive. We understood thatour task was now removal of
remains. Chaplain Spenser and I moved among thewaiting troops.
Many were anxious and nervous. Most had never done thisbefore.
Some were not sure they could. Waiting and thinking made it
moredifficult. Food was brought to us by a group of the Red Cross
volunteersand it was most appreciated. It helped to divert our
thoughts to somethingmore pleasant, at least for a time.New
instructions. We were going to move to the right side of the blast
areaand bring out the remains through the far right door of the
building.Trucks and covered fences would provide security and privacy for
theoperation. No one wanted any media to show pictures of our fallen
comradesin newspapers or on TV. We did not want to give the enemy any
thing else togloat about!The FBI was ready for the first team of us
to go in. Chaplain Spenser and Iassured each of them and then followed
them into the building as theyfollowed CSM Butts' (Old Guard) lead straight
in and then left down a longand dark hall through four inches of standing
water and debris and thenright to where the remains were tagged and ready
for removal. One soldierreturned. He couldn't handle the
confinement of the darkness. Lights werebrought in and he passed by us
on his way back in. Father Spenser and Istood in polluted water
against the wall and waited.The longer we waited, the more time we had
to think. The more time we hadto think, the heavier the ordeal
became. We were in polluted water with himin army boots and me in low
quarters. While we both had masks over ournoses our eyes were not
protected. Besides that, we wondered what the maskwasn't filtering
out. Then we wondered about the structural integrity ofthe
building.... These thoughts were not at all comforting, but they
werereal and we didn't want anyone else to be hurt especially those
riskingtheir own lives trying to help. We stood in silence and
continually offeredprayer.As each stretcher came and stopped we each
simultaneously blessed thedeceased. Every body removed from the
disaster would have a Protestant anda Catholic blessing offered. If
anyone knew that some one was Jewish orMuslim, we were prepared for that as
well. However, none of us knewanything of the sort. We did with
deep respect what our conscience and dutyas chaplains called for. We
comforted the living and honored the dead. Itwas difficult
duty.Father Spenser and I noted the nervous look in the eyes of the
soldiers asthey first went in. As they carried remains out their eyes
told a differentstory. Some were now stoic, focused on the task, not
allowing him or her tothink about what they were seeing and doing.
Others looked profoundlydisturbed and still others shocked.
Imagination was made to flee in theface of reality and the reality was most
gruesome. Remains would be broughtout and then we would come out and
wait till the FBI finished theirprocesses and then we would go through it
all over again.While we waited, Chaplain Spenser and I would talk to the
troops and then goback in with the next group. It was hard on the
soldiers. Even the Rescueprofessionals and the FBI said they had never
seen anything like thisbefore. I had and I had to control my thoughts
because they wanted to takeme to a place I could not afford to go. Not
now for sure. My own trainingin Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
told me I would need to go therelater, but certainly not now. We
continued to pray and we continued tominister to the soldiers, firemen,
safety inspectors, structural inspectors,air inspectors, and FBI agents,
everybody involved in the process where wewere. It was a very long and
hot day, but at 1730 it was over. Structuralconcerns would not allow
us to continue for the rest of the evening. Wewere exhausted as
Chaplain Spenser and I headed back to the chaplainsoperations tent.A
regional Police Chaplain asked if I could use a ride to the hotel and
Igratefully accepted, but couldn't leave due to the President's
momentaryarrival. Then we noticed firemen up on the roof of the
Pentagon buildingunfolding a large American flag. The President
arrived and actually passedby where Chaplain Spenser and I were
standing. We each shook his hand andnoticed his moist eyes. He
shook my hand firmly and looked me in the eyeand said, "God bless
you." I was very deeply moved and could barely respondwith, "God bless
you Mr. President." His strength was obvious and hiscompassion
real. I found myself thinking as he passed by reaching out toothers,
"God, I am so glad I voted for you." Then Mrs. Rice came over to usand
shook our hands as well and thanked us for what we were all doing.
Asthe President moved along, the firemen unfurled the large American flag
nextto the caved in face of the building and spontaneous clapping began
followedby the singing of "God Bless America." It was a deeply moving
and emotionalmoment. I could barely take it in, or keep it in.
My cup was full and Ineeded to go.The Police Chaplain put me in a
police car and I was driven up the hill tothe Sheraton. Along the
route the policeman driving also thanked me forwhat I was doing as a
chaplain with the army. He had learned the value of achaplain soon
after he had joined the police force.Inside my room, I sat on the bed
and all the locked up emotion emptied outmy eyes. I gave thanks to God
for the incredible privilege of serving as achaplain to soldiers, sailors,
airman and marines as the USFK CommandChaplain on the scene here for such a
time as this. I looked at the threethemes embroidered on the stole I
had made in Korea and had been wearingeach day. "Joining Hands,
Linking Hearts and Building Bridges." That wasexactly what was
happening with all of us involved here, in New York, aroundour country and
even with countries outside of our own. It was a veryhumbling day and
a most exhausting one.After another hot shower, I propped up my painful
leg and foot and calledCarol to tell her again that I was okay. It was
really good to hear hervoice. I was blessed. In spite of
everything, America was blessed too. Wewould rise from this
catastrophe as a one nation even stronger and moreunited under God like
never before in our history. May it be so, O
God!Amen.September 13, 2001, day three. Up at 0520. Very
tired, but cannot sleep.Still cannot believe this is happening at one level
and am almostoverwhelmed on another. Devotions, prayer and back into
the same dirtyuniform, down the hill I go and report in at the chaplain
operations tent.It is almost daylight now. Chaplain Spenser and I
marry back up with ourteam. Waiting. Getting ready.
Someone calls in a bomb threat to thePentagon and everyone is moved across
the road. With so many securityforces here, no one believes there is a
real bomb and many of them expresstheir anger. God help the phone
caller if some of the policemen I wasstanding beside catch them! All
clear is sounded and we finally move backin, but this time we all pass
through a single entrance and are given abracelet to identify that we are
authorized to be inside the area.A different Old Guard company arrives
for duty and gets suited up in rubberboots, gloves, masks and safety
helmets. I again step up and inform thegroup that though the day's
memories will be gruesome and those they willnot wish to recall, it is our
sacred duty to remove our fellow Americanswith dignity and respect as we
seek on this day to serve both God andcountry with integrity befitting honor
because we ARE Americans. They wereready and Chaplain Spenser and I
were ready too. Chaplain Bradfield whowould again be inside the
refrigeration truck with the doctor and nurse wasready too. This would
be another very hard day, but none of us knew thatyet. We moved to our
places and began.The FBI was ready to lead us into deeper carnage.
It was harder to breaththe air. Day three odors would be much more
nauseating. Our thoughts wereless controlled and our emotions were
beginning to overload due to thevisual trauma experienced. In fact,
had the three of us chaplains not beenspecifically asked to return as a team
for this third day, none of us wouldhave. For the sake of the soldiers
and teams we had bonded with andestablished a strong ministry link, we each
stayed. It was our duty and weclearly knew that and embraced it
without hesitation. The work continued.Standing deep inside
watching the soldiers work after the FBI backed out,one of the FBI agents
said to me, "Chaplain, I can't express how comfortingit is to us that you
two are in here standing with us." I remarked toChaplain Spenser how
surprised I sometimes am by "who" makes those kinds ofcomments than I am by
the comments themselves. Structural safety engineerscleared us from
the building with concerns that a wall may collapse and trapus inside.
Quickly we went outside and waited.Up inside an exposed 4th or 5th floor
office on the left side of the blastarea you could see a Marine Corps flag
standing. The entire wall was blownaway, but that flag was standing
tall. I pointed it out to the Marines amongus. I told them, "Though
covered in ashes and amidst destruction allaround, that flag still
stands. Look at it long and hard. Remember thisday Marine, never
forget it and be proud. THAT is the heritage you are apart of."
Even the faces on the army soldiers were glowing and when theMarine Corps
major with us actually pulled the flag from that office as acrane raised him
to it, all of us started clapping wildly. It was a greatmoment
indeed!Still waiting to go back into the building. Chaplain
Spenser and I are toldto report back over to the chaplain operations
tent. We get there, but noone knows who sent for us so we head
back. We are stopped by two senatorsand are asked how we are
doing. We share what we are doing and they areparticularly moved that
every body removed from the disaster is being givena Protestant and Catholic
blessing before removal from the building. Theythank us and we move
back to our troops wondering if THAT was why we were togo over
there... Who knows?Still waiting. Chaplain Spenser and I
moved among the troops checking toseeing how everyone was doing. One
soldier took Father aside and asked forprayer of reconciliation. That
is what we chaplains are about. Reconcilingsoldiers to God and
soldiers with themselves and others. "Bringing God toSoldiers and
Soldiers to God," is more than just our Army Chaplain Corpsmotto. It
is what we do and we do it where the soldiers are. We share intheir
hardships and challenges, in their joys and in their terrors andsometimes we
die with them too. It is our sacred honor and duty and we cando no
less.It is now 5 PM; two Navy and one Coast Guard Chaplain are now
replacing daythree and Chaplains Bradfield, Spenser and me. Our duty
is done, our fellowsister service chaplains will continue. We have
finally been relieved ofthe watch. We say goodbye to the troops, FBI,
rescue workers, medicalpersonnel and one happy Marine Corps major, and the
three of us report backto the chaplain operations tent.As we stood
talking among ourselves, we each realized it was good we wererelieved two
hours early. My cup of trauma work was full and
almostoverflowing. My body felt exhausted and my emotions wanted to
again burst.The pain in my foot and leg was even more pronounced and I
needed to eatsomething more than just a sandwich. Father Spenser and I
headed over tothe Red Cross food center set up in the Pentagon parking
lot. What a shockwe were in for.Standing in line waiting for
chicken and barbecue, a man grabbed me andhugged me. When I looked at
him and heard him say, "Robert, I am reallyglad you are here," his
affirmation as my Chief of Army Chaplains deeplytouched me more than I can
say. He invited Chaplain Spenser and me to joinhim at his table and we
did. Our Deputy Chief of Chaplains was there too,as was our Sergeant
Major-in my view the best threesome our corps has everhad! The Chief looked
under my very hot black sweater and immediately knewwhy I was wearing it. He
smiled at me and chuckled. Everything I needed onmy shirt beneath was
missing. We had a good laugh. It was an appropriateconclusion to
a long hard three days and days none of us ever wanted torepeat.With
our duty here now done, Chaplain Spenser and I joined hands, prayed foreach
other, hugged each other and departed in the peace of the Lord and inthe
satisfying knowledge that our ministry had made a difference to thosetragedy
had so ruthlessly thrown together, but God had so wondrously causedto
prevail.Looking back at the flag draped from the Pentagon building and
saluting onelast time, I started the painful walk up the long hill to the
Sheraton. Asecurity man saw me limping and gave me a ride. I was
grateful indeed!September 14, 2001, day four. I slept long and
hard, but awakened before0600. My lungs don't feel completely
clear. I am in emotional overload.The images are too intense and I
find myself still shaking my head indisbelief. It is all so
surreal.None of the chaplains who flew in from over seas can fly back
before nextThursday. I call the airlines and the best I can do is next
Wednesday the19th out of National. My flight is rebooked, but then the
TV says Nationalis now closed indefinitely. What to do?The
Arab lady working in the hotel restaurant won't let me pay for my coffeeand
says, "God bless you" to me as I leave. I take a cab to Ft. Myer
topray in the chapel and we are stopped in a long security line with the
meterrunning. I pay the cabby and ask for a ride from the driver in
the carahead. He gladly lets me in and tells me he is a retired Naval
aviator andhas already volunteered to the Navy that he is ready to do a
suicide missionon any target they name. I understand. He drops
me off at the chapel forprayer and after prayer I sit at the computer to
write from daily journalthe above. It is now 1830 hours. I am
finished and I am okay. My task nowis to quickly find my way back to
Korea. May God help me and may God
blessAmerica.Jim
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