It’s likely that we all know where we were on the morning of 9.11.01.  We were going about our routine business – when everything was abruptly halted by the news.

I was on my way in to Washington, DC that morning.  I was making my way from Route 395 in Virginia nearing the exit to South Washington Blvd by the Pentagon, sitting in very heavy traffic that was barely moving, when I heard the news about the first plane crashing into the World Trade Center.  Like most everyone – it was thought to be a huge, disastrous error on the part of a pilot in a small plane.   As I inched my way through traffic, the report of the second plane came over the radio.  At that point, again, like most others, I believed that this was no longer an accident.  I still had yet to pass the Pentagon and I began to think that maybe the Pentagon would be a target or maybe other buildings in D.C.  A part of me said to pull over on the shoulder on Washington Blvd and wait and see.   You see, I had my camera with me.  My trusty Nikon 8008s.  I carry a camera with me just about 24/7.  Back in 2001 was no exception.  I was thinking, if something were to happen at the Pentagon, I would be right there.  But, I had to get somewhere and the traffic was horrific.  The thought of blocking the shoulder for no apparent reason  didn’t sit well with me as I don’t appreciate others who do the same.   So, I continued my ride on into D.C.

I passed the Pentagon on my right but continued to look in my rear view mirror for some reason.  I had just passed over the GW Parkway  when I looked in my rear view mirror again.  This time I saw smoke rising into the air from the Pentagon.  I thought, “I knew it!”  At that point, the others in traffic around me did not seem to be aware of what had just happened.  But I knew I wanted to get somewhere to try and get some images with my 8008s.  I managed to make it to the circle on Memorial Dr and rather than crossing over the Memorial Bridge to get to my appointment, I went around the circle and entered Arlington Cemetery.   My dad is interred there so I have access to the grounds beyond the visitor’s parking lot.  I talked with the guard there and he waved me through.  At this point, even they seemed to be unaware of what had just happened.

I made my way down Eisenhower Drive in the Cemetery.  It’s one of the main roads through there.  I turned left on Arnold and parked my car along that road.  For some reason, I didn’t want to take my car all the way up to the end of Eisenhower which was much closer to the Pentagon.  I really wanted to somehow run over to the Pentagon grounds.  Mind you, I was in a suit and tie and I knew that there was a fence between me and the Pentagon.  I grabbed my camera bag and took off running in the direction of the Pentagon.  Oddly, there was another guy near the fence watching the whole thing unfold.  I asked if he saw the plane and he said no.  He said he was getting out of here and that was the last I saw of him.  I got to the fence and saw that there was another fence also.  The second one ran right along Washington Blvd.  I climbed the first with relative ease.  But, the second one, it was one of those wobbly fences with no top bar.  And, it was covered and entwined with roaming vines, bushes and other assorted growth.   I started to negotiate the fence, but it was difficult.  Then I began thinking, what do I do once I get over there, I have two rolls of film with me.  How will I get back to my car?  What if I get sent away by those establishing security around the crash site?  All kinds of thoughts like that.  I decided to stay where I was and try to shoot through the fence.  I shot a few and figured this was no good.  So I made my way over to the maintenance complex on the Cemetery grounds.  It is from there that I began to take more pictures.  Not the best vantage point, but the only one I had.

I only had two rolls of film with me so I wanted to conserve it.  I had no idea what, if anything, else was going to happen but I wanted to be sure I had some film left.  Those of us in the area were just kind of staring over at the Pentagon. Watching the billowing clouds of smoke.  The fires being extinguished by huge streams of water and foam.  My thoughts were on those inside the Pentagon and what was happening inside.  Were they getting out?  No doubt there would be injuries and maybe even deaths, but how many?  As close as I was, I still felt detached and not close enough.  Close enough to do what, I really don’t know.  Maybe help in any way that the help was needed.  Just something inside saying I wish I was closer.

At one point, I didn’t note the time for any of the events that day, a truck came driving around announcing on a loud speaker to take cover because there was another inbound aircraft.  I was thinking, “wow, take cover? I am in a cemetery, there is no cover.”  There were people milling about and we were just kind of looking around.  Looking up into the skies. Looking for something.  I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t shaking a bit after that announcement.  I thought, how in the world do I dodge a jet liner?  That’s when at least one F16 came screaming through the sky at a seriously low level.  I am not sure if there were more than one, but they were making noise and letting us know they were there.  Constantly circling the area in a protective mode.  My shaking subsided a bit with the sight of fighter aircraft in the sky.  We now know that only one aircraft hit the Pentagon and perhaps the announcement was related to the unknown intent of Flight 93 that was eventually taken back by brave, determined American heroes.

I tried to reach family members by cell phone but I couldn’t get service.  I had no idea where anyone was or what precautions they were taking.  In particular, my son who was in school at the time.  I could only hope that everything was working out.  He was in school in Alexandria, VA.  A somewhat safe distance away.  But no one had any idea at the time to what extent we were under attack.   I could only hope that his mom was taking care of all that.  (Thankfully she was.)  There was no way for me to get out of the Cemetery.  The roads were blocked all over D.C.  There was no way to get back home the way I came because that required for me to pass the Pentagon and those roads were shut down.  I tried to exit through the back of the Cemetery.  There is an “authorized only” entrance but I thought that maybe an exception would be made given the circumstances.  No way.  I was met by several soldiers who instructed me to turn around and go back the other way.  No other instructions but to return from where I came from.  I tried to negotiate it, but nothing doing.  So, I went back to my vantage point for several more hours until some roads were re-opened.  In all, I spent more than six hours in that one area.

It is a day that will never be forgotten.

Below is a link to a map that shows what and where I was on that morning. Zoom in on the map and you will see my route of travel. Also, each icon includes some information that will appear when clicked on. As well, I have included a selection of images that I made that day.

Where I Was on 9.11.01