It’s one of those things…you’ll always remember where you were on that day. On 9/11/2001. Everyone has a unique story. Mine always makes me appreciate our military. On that day, I was a brand-new flight instructor just about to take off with my first student for his first lesson. But he wasn’t just any student. He was a new 2nd Lt. in the USAF, a recent graduate of the US Air Force Academy. During that time, the USAF had begun a new program for launching these new officers into their flying careers. I was a civilian working on an Air Force Base “Aero-Club”, which is a flying club for military personnel. These soon-to-be Air Force pilots would come to various flight schools like this one, and they had 45 days to earn an FAA Private Pilot Certificate. After that, they would be sent to various bases to continue their training to become fighter pilots or cargo pilots.
We had just finished a pre-flight inspection of our Cessna trainer and were about to start our engine and taxi out, when another instructor and his student taxiied back in and shut down. The instructor got out and shouted, “The airfield’s shut down!”
It was odd…they had been running “exercises” on base all week, practicing for various emergencies and things like that. Of course we all thought this must be a part of that. So I asked, “Paul, is it part of the exercise?”
“No. We all need to go inside.” So we all tied down the airplanes and went into the office where we saw the manager, secretary and others staring at the television in disbelief.
The news didn’t know what to make of what had just happened, but we watched that footage of those planes hitting the towers once, twice, a thousand times. It seemed like we watched for hours. And nobody spoke. And tears were rolling down some cheeks. My hands were shaking. The telephone rang, and we all jumped. The Chief Pilot answered. He spoke very few words, and then hung up. “The Base Commander has ordered all non-essential personnel to leave the base. If we are to re-commence training, we’ll call you. We don’t know how many days it will be. All airspace is closed as of right now.”
I looked at my students, and I saw the full realization of their new status as Air Force Officers fall as a shadow on their young faces. I could almost see them stiffen their shoulders as they understood the burdens that would be placed on those shoulders in the years to come. Of course they all took their jobs seriously, and of course they understood the responsibility and the possibility of going to war when joining the Air Force, but I think maybe, just maybe, it hadn’t been truly real until that moment. For me, the responsibility of training these young men and women became the most important thing I have ever done as a teacher.
We started flying again 10 days later, because the Air Force decided that training these new pilots was indeed an “Air Force Mission.” Many of my students went on to serve more than one tour in “the desert.” I lost touch with them, but I pray that they have all come home safely. I think of them at this time when we remember that not all of our young soldiers will come home, and I pray that God would, indeed, Bless America.
Forty, c'est Fantastique ! 
God bless you. What a poignant post this was. I could feel your heartbeat in your words, and I was deeply touched. We are indeed very blessed to live in this country, which is made great by its people.Thanks for your work with our military.
Many blessings,
Cheryl
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Thanks for reading.
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That must have been truly surreal to be connected to flights and the military on 9/11 as you were at the training base, and, as you say to witness their realization of how their future had immediately changed.
The story if how quickly and smoothly our nation’s airspace was cleared that day is one of the most interesting tangential impacts, as is the story of flights from Europe being rerouted to Newfoundland. Your experience that day is a tiny sliver of such a vital part of our nation’s strength; I’m thankful for experienced teachers like you.
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It is indeed a fascinating story. I actually kept a print-out of the “Notice to Airmen” that was put out that day. I hope to never see one like it again.
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Le récit de ce moment fort que tu as vécu est très émouvant .
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Merci, Agnès.
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So heartfelt, and such a story. My husband was an active-duty USAF officer on 9/11, and we lived on base. The turmoil and uncertainty! Your story truly takes me back.
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p.s. What a fascinating job you have!!
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Oh, to live on a base it must have been a bit frightening! When I drove off base that day, there were fully armed soldiers stationed at most of the intersections and the line to leave was several blocks long. Everyone looked so scared. When they let us back on to recommence training, they physically searched every car at the gate for many months after.
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Crazy times. The visible armed presence everywhere was unsettling. Once, I took a wrong turn on the way to a playground, then was stopped and checked because I had driven past the flight line–a woman with two small children–very suspicious! Everyone was on edge for such a long time.
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I was just thinking the other day–in response to a poet/friend’s statement that it is hard to write about tragedies soon after they happen– that I still can’t write about 9/11. But here you’ve done it so beautifully and tenderly. Thank you for all that you do and for sharing your experience.
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I’m happy to have you read it!
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Indeed, everyone has their own 9/11 stories. This one is particularly memorable. Bless you for the work you’ve done training those young pilots. And how it must have felt to be caught in that very moment when they realized what they just signed up for!
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Thanks for visiting.
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Definitely one of those times you don’t forget where you were. I can’t imagine the way it felt working in the position you had.
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At least I felt that I was doing something useful. Thanks for reading!
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I was just thinking about how useless I felt after 9/11. I was a teacher at the time, so I knew my job was important, but I didn’t feel like there was any way I was directly contributing to the response. I suppose that explains why so many people volunteered to go and help.
Great story. Glad you linked it up over at yeah write.
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Thanks for reading.
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What a story… That day changed the face of America as we knew it. Though I live a few miles from the airport, I still tense up when I hear a plane that seems a little too close to the ground. I never did that before.
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It’s sad but I think weal have a little of that feeling now:( thanks for visiting.
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What a memorable story. You’re right, no one forgets, but yours especially sticks out.
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Thank you.
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