I was in the Army, driving to PT at the gym with CSM O’Brien. (He was a mean som beach but I respected him and so liked to work out with him). Rick and Bubba said a plane hit the first tower. I’m think oh $#/+. I get to the gym and I see everybody crowded around the TV. Then, we saw a second plane hit. The CSM said, “Suit up boys.” We changed into our duty uniform and headed to the hangar.
I was about to retire and a few days later we were loading acft onto a C-5. I was telling the CSM I was going to pull back my papers. He said, “Quit all that flag havin bull$#/+ and get on with your life.” So, I retired but went to work for the Army supporting the deployed troops.
I’ll never forget that time in my life.