MSNBC-National Geographic still screenshot; 9/11 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City.
0846 – Flight 11 crashed into the north face of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
America is at war.
0850-0854 – Flight 77 is hijacked.
9/11 Memorial – As It Happened – 0846
September 11th, 20159/11 Memorial – As It Happened – 0800
September 11th, 2015
0814 – United Airlines Flight 175, a Boeing 767 carrying 56 passengers and nine crew members, departed from Logan International Airport, bound for Los Angeles International Airport, with five hijackers onboard.
0820 – American Airlines Flight 77, a Boeing 757 carrying 58 passengers and six crew members, departed from Washington Dulles International Airport in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, Virginia, bound for Los Angeles International Airport, with five hijackers aboard.
0842 – United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing 757 carrying 37 passengers and seven crew members departed from Newark International Airport, bound for San Francisco International Airport, with four hijackers aboard.
0842-0846 – Flight 175 is hijacked.
9/11 Memorial – As It Happened – 0700
September 11th, 2015
0735 – terrorists Atta and al-Omari board American Airlines Flight 11, along with the rest of the Flight 11 hijackers.
0759 – American Airlines Flight 11 departs towards Los Angeles International Airport.
9/11 Memorial – As It Happened – 0600
September 11th, 2015
0600 – terrorists Mohammed Atta and Abdulaziz al-Omari traveled to Logan International Airport from Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine.
0652 – fellow terrorist Marwan al-Shehhi called Atta at Logan to confirm the plans of the attack.
9/11 – Remember
September 11th, 2015It’s been 14 years now. The longer it’s been, the closer I become to that day. I remember it all so vividly, events unfolding on the TV screen and once I realized what was afoot, as I made my way from my quarters on base to my Squadron, as a skeleton staff assembled. Granted, we didn’t know much, but it was obvious whatever did happen was going to involve us, so my mind was on the tasks at hand. We were in crisis response mode so there was no time for emotion.
Now, I can take it all in. Now, I can grieve, and I do. My youngest who wasn’t even born yet on 9/11, came home from school yesterday and told me his homework was to talk to me about September 11, 2001. I showed him the Towers, I ran him through the timeline and told him about the needless deaths that day and the heroes who saved so many. I told him of friends lost fighting this war. Then, I said to my son, “Now I’m going to show you the one thing you need to always remember about that day,” and we looked at pictures of the jumpers and as I explained their choice. Then, after he went to play, I wept.
Please join me in remembering those we lost on September 11th, 2001 and over these ensuing 14 years.
“OneWorldTradeCenter” by Joe Mabel – Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
We’ve rebuilt the structures they destroyed but we’ll never be able to replace the lives they took. America is a resilient, vibrant nation. But, we’re in danger of ignoring what a dangerous place this world is. The threat isn’t gone. We must remain vigilant. We must never allow another tragedy to befall our people.
I continued serving for several years after that day, retiring, eventually working in industry. Over time I began to process the tragedy. I’ve dealt with it little more each year as I grow further and further the events.
One thing has remained.
I will Never Forget and I will Never Forgive.
The Sheriff of Baghdad Podcast Is Now Available
September 11th, 2015John “Shrek” McPhee called me a couple of weeks ago, telling me that he was launching a podcast along with co-host Spencer Pratt. I didn’t realize that he already had two webisodes in the can. 
Check it out. Available Here.
You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up
September 11th, 2015 
Jack Osborne prepares for a 9/11 memorial GoRuck event.
Gentex Corporation Demonstrates More Robust Line of Defense Solutions at DSEI
September 11th, 2015Carbondale, PA, September 9, 2015. Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces will demonstrate their industry leading lines of Gentex, Ops-Core and ALPHA helmet systems for both ground and air applications at DSEI, September 15 – 18, Excel, London. Featured among them will be their latest innovations for aircrew, a cross platform helmet system and laser defense eyewear.
The new ALPHA 900 Cross-Platform Helmet System is the only aircrew helmet platform configurable for fixed and rotary wing applications, reducing the logistics trail for those responsible for supporting both helmet platforms. Designed for the U.K.’s MoD, the ALPHA 900 features a modern, lightweight solution. Gentex’s line of laser protective, flight-helmet mounted visors and spectacles that help combat emerging laser threats to pilots are also being featured. The day/night laser glare reduction lenses are designed to maintain see-through color perception, while providing protection from green and blue commercial lasers.
“We’re excited to showcase our innovative cross platform helmet system and laser defense eyewear at DSEI, which will be donned by many international pilots,” said L.P. Frieder, president, Gentex Corporation. “These solutions represent our commitment to continually advance our broad array of performance and protection capabilities for defense forces around the world.”
Gentex added the ALPHA product line to its aircrew portfolio in July 2014 with the acquisition of Helmet Integrated Systems Limited. Since then, they’ve combined the world-class product lines, technologies, and manufacturing resources of the two companies to expand their international business and provide customers greater value. This has enabled Gentex Corporation to offer one of the most advanced, comprehensive lines of integrated helmet systems in the defense and industrial markets.
Other innovative solutions on display from the company include the Ops-Core RAC headset, now in production, which provides true 3D hearing technology (3D HT); and, a live, on the water display with partner Survitec of the Gentex LVIS Digital, a modular intercom system for combatant, patrol and rescue craft.
In the DSEI U.K. Pavilion, stand N3-564, Gentex will demonstrate their solutions for aircrew, and in the U.S. Pavilion, stand N5-360, they’ll demonstrate their solutions for ground troops. Product experts will be on hand to meet with customers and media throughout the show.
Gentex Corporation is the leading supplier of high-performance flight equipment and services for military, law enforcement and rescue aircrew worldwide. Gentex has been a supplier for over 50 years on many key international aircrew programs, including the most advanced one to date, the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. For the JSF, Gentex will supply hearing and communication products, eye protection and the helmet system platform and respiratory protection system to the elite aircrew entrusted to command the most advanced fighter craft to date, the JSF F-35 Lightning II.
