MARINE DAUGHTER MARINE SISTER MARINE MOTHER |
ORIGINAL SOURCE: Looks to be a great site, check it out. Waiting for permission to post the photo. Photo as originally posted on above site |
BUILDING BROKEN FLAG STANDS RESOLVE STRENGHTENED |
The Pentagon, after attack. The Marine Corps Flag still stands, as does the Marine Corps, the United States, and an unstoppable resolve. |
ORIGINAL SOURCE: Looks to be a great site, check it out. Waiting for permission to post the photo. Photo as originally posted on above site |
MARINE DAUGHTER MARINE SISTER MARINE MOTHER |
FIRST HAND ACCOUNT OF PENTAGON ASSAULT |
Subj: FW: A Marine's First Hand Account - Pentagon Date: Friday, September 14, 2001 5:59:43 AM From: BirkholzKA@navair.navy.mil This account is from the Deputy Counsel for the Commandant. I am very pleased to be able to write you these lines. I know you are all anxious for information. First and foremost, I am happy to report that our people were all able to get out. It was a VERY near thing. We will be operating out of the Annex for a while; I'll fill you in as I get contact information. Please send to my HQMC account and copy this account in the near term. Many of you have asked for information about our experience; I will risk the inaccuracies of a memory fueled by terror and briefly share these bullets. Maj Baker and Peter were meeting in Peter's ofc; I was in and out watching news reports of the attack on the WTC. After the second plane attacked, I had Cpl G check on the security status of the PNT. He reported back that it was "threatcon normal." He and I discussed the bldg's vulnerability, and the fact that it was increased since all eyes were glued to TV, and all thoughts were on NYC. I went to discuss the situation with Peter. The explosion occurred as I got to his door. We were thrown into the air; the floor buckled and separated along the expansion joint that separated Peter's office from mine; the ceiling began to fall in; the lights came down. We could see the fireball rolling up past the windows. We all made for the door but it was stuck shut. Cpl G wrenched it open. When we got into the hallway it was already filling with smoke. We met Kath A. in the hall, accounting for all our people. We made toward the North end. The smoke was thicker and blacker that way, and someone came through the doorway yelling that there was fire in that end. We turned and headed south in thick smoke now, holding onto each other like blind mice. When we came to the exp. joint, we could feel the heat from the fire and see flames through the floor. We doubled back, stopped to choose which risk to take, then heard someone shouting from the North end to follow the sound of his voice, that there was a way out. We followed his voice-a young naval ofcr and my new hero, whoever he is-and made our way to the interior and on to the South parking lot. Many, many people were already helping. You've seen to the photos of the Pentagon. The clean break along the left side of the gaping hole marks the line of the expansion joint. You can see directly into Peter's office. My office is on the ground along with Maj Lyon's. I think we all left feeling shaken but extraordinarily lucky. I recommend you all go home, hold your loved ones close, and say a prayer for those who will never get a chance to do so again. |
AP Photo of flag from Pentagon building being escorted away |
