I got a call from one of our associates who was in NJ, and watching the whole thing. Someone turned on the TV and I got there just as the second plane hit. I knew at once what had happened.
We watched awhile, then tried to handle the phones. Someone came in my office and said the Pentagon had been hit. I walked out the back door and saw the smoke rising. My thoughts and words at that time are unprintable. I went back upstairs and then heard the office was closing.
DC had started to go into panic mode, people were running. As we started the commute to rural Maryland, a large aircraft came over very low. You could see people on the street ducking and confused. Being former USAF, I knew from the sound that the aircraft were military, but I unhooked my seatbelt anyway just in case I should have to make a hasty exit. It’s interesting the things you remember like that.
It took us hours to get out of town. All the while we were listening to the radio. When I finally got to where my truck was parked, I still had another 20 miles or so to get home.
I am still angry. We lost some friends that day. I will never forget. God rest their souls, and God bless America.
bfl