Veterans, VA employees, remember 9/11

On Sept. 11, 2001, Sheridan VA Business Office Chief John Grote was serving the Army in the Pentagon. Here’s what he remembers about 9/11:

“After the initial attack on the building, I failed to heed the directions to evacuate the building as there were those around me in need. I supported rescue operations in several locations around the building that day.

From left to right: John Grote’s son Collin (just arrived back from a tour in Iraq), wife Dawn, daughter Sarah Joy, John, and son Michael (deployed to Afghanistan two months later).

One effort stood out. I found myself with other military members digging into a hole that had been punched through the wall of the Pentagon on the C-ring on the main floor of the building.

We could hear the cries from those still trapped inside, buried under an assortment of office equipment with flames dripping down from burning jet fuel above and with thick acrid smoke permeating every breath.

We had formed a line with those in the back of the line shooting fire extinguishers ahead to keep the flames off those at the front of the line digging through the debris to those trapped.

In that line was the Air Force surgeon general, a Navy SEAL, an Army major and an assorted grouping of officers and enlisted Soldiers.

No one asked, “Who are we looking for?” We were responding to the cries of trapped military personnel.

Raising the American flag on the site of the New York City terrorist attack.

No regard to service, gender, political party was at issue.  It was a band of individuals bonded together for a common good.

It is what makes our military so awesome and our Veterans so special. The commitment to a common good and a willingness to serve.”

Local events

Many VA medical centers will be holding special ceremonies today. Here are just a few. (Check here for VA events in your area.)

Chillicothe VA will livestream their 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony honoring first responders.

Charlie Norwood VA is partnering with Augusta University for an event today which will include a Tunnel to Towers 5k Run & Walk, speakers, and singers at the University’s amphitheater.

The VA Black Hills Health Care System held a Stand Down and Veteran Resource Day on September 10. There was a Veteran Recovery Concert that evening. A Patriots Day Parade will be held today followed by Freedom Fireworks tonight in Box Elder, SD.

Cleveland VA will mark the 20th Anniversary with a 9/11 Ceremony & Day of Service and Remembrance. Guest Speaker will be Marine Corps Veteran and First Responder Cleveland Police Deputy Chief Harold Pretel.

Reno VA will join Truckee Meadow College, first responders and others for a 36 mile “Ruck To Remember” while carrying the dog tags of Nevada fallen from 9/11 forward.

Nevada has over 6,000 KIAs since 9/11. Each person will be carrying 100 dog tags for one of the three legs of the ruck.

After the ruck, there will be a ceremony at the Sparks Marina in partnership with the Nevada Air and Army Guard, and community colleges and universities.

The Northern Arizona VA Health Care System in Prescott, AZ, has a special event which will include a flyover and a guest speaker who was on his way to a meeting at the Twin Towers when the first plane hit. Tony Reed is a Desert Storm and OIF Army Veteran.

VA New England shares the story of Dr. James Geiling. On Sept. 11, 2001, Dr. Geiling stood at the entrance to a bridge, just across the river from the Pentagon. He was feeling helpless. He watched thick smoke bellow from the ugly gash in the side of the iconic building.