Answering our nation's call: Remembering Sept. 11, 2001

  • Published
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The events of September 11, 2001, did more than shape a nation; it permanently etched the events of that day into the memory of every American who bore witness.

These six members of Team Moody still remember, eight years later, where they were, what they were doing and how they felt on that very day.

Whether still a child in school, serving in the military or a family member, each of the following stories is a testament to the impact the unforgettable day had on individuals.

Even though 9/11 was eight years ago, these testimonies from the following individuals are not limited in scope; but rather, they encompass the reactions and emotions that many Americans felt on that very same day.


Chief Master Sgt. Dawna Cnota, 23rd Security Forces Squadron security forces manager

On September 11, 2001, Chief Cnota was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., as the 335th Training Squadron chief military training leader.

"I was working in my office when one of my Airmen came in and informed me that a plane had just crashed into one of the World Trade Center buildings. My initial response was, "Okay. It must have been an accident," but he came back a few minutes later and told me another one had crashed into the other building.

"We went out into the common area and watched the events unfold on the TV. Our actions were to make sure none of our Airmen had family in that area, which fortunately none of them did. After that, the Airmens' focus wasn't on themselves, but the people who were there at ground zero. I think that moment helped us realize that not everyone truly understands what it means to serve their country and to be doing so was a major honor."


Erin and Calvin Henderson, wife and son of Col. Gary Henderson, 23rd Wing commander

On September 11, 2001, the Hendersons were stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

"On the morning of Sept. 11, I was dropping off our son Calvin for his first day of pre-school. All of us who were sitting in the drop-off line were listening to the news on the radio, not really believing what we were hearing.

"After I dropped him off, I headed to the base for an appointment. While waiting at the gate to get in, I heard that another plane had hit the Pentagon, which is where Colonel Henderson was at for a two-week temporary duty assignment.

"For four hours, I couldn't get through to him or anybody he was with. Finally, a wife of one of the men who was with him managed to reach me and let me know they were okay. They had been meeting at an off-site location about two blocks from where the aircraft hit. Everything was cancelled and he was able to make it home that night. It was an incredible relief that night to be able to hug my husband and children.

"In the following weeks, it was amazing to see the level at which Americans dropped their differences and bonded, as well as the level of support they showed by proudly displaying yellow ribbons and flying the U.S. flag." 


Airman 1st Class Michael Barnette, 23rd Civil Engineering Squadron firefighter

On September 11, 2001, Airman Barnette was just 12 years old.

"I was in eighth grade and in class when the attacks on the World Trade Center buildings occurred. My teachers gave us some very brief information on what had happened, but we all thought it was an accident, that nobody had really meant to attack us.

"Later that night, my mother filled me in on all the details, and eventually the events from that day were part of what influenced my decision to join the military.

"I have family members in every other branch of service and I was the first one to join the Air Force. My wife is proud of my decision to become a firefighter but also understands that the job can be dangerous." 


Senior Airman Nikita Anderson, 23rd Force Support Squadron journeyman

On September 11, 2001, Airman Anderson was in her 10th-grade world history class.

"When news of what had happened in New York City reached my high school, everything stopped. We spent the rest of the school day watching TV and just trying to understand. It was hard to comprehend that somebody had done this to our country. I think everybody was affected in some way that day.

"I'm now about to leave for my first deployment since enlisting and I've known it's always been a possibility. Until now, I haven't been able to be part of the camaraderie that comes with saying, 'I've deployed.' I'm the first person in my family to join the military and when I did, my mother was definitely proud that I was going to be doing something meaningful with my life." 


Staff Sgt. Fernando Solis, 75th Aircraft Maintenance Unit avionics specialist

On September 11, 2001, Sergeant Solis was a recent high school graduate working in Denver.

"I had just gotten off my shift working at FedEx when I heard some of the drivers come in, talking about someone or something in New York had been attacked. Most of us just thought a person had been mugged, so we didn't think much more about it.

"During my 45-minute drive home, I noticed every gas station along the interstate was packed. It wasn't until the next day when visiting my mother that I got all the details on the World Trade Center attacks.

"Her reaction was, "We're going to war! Everybody's being drafted!" I was just out of high school and wasn't hit hard by the situation, but I had many friends who had been military before and who wanted to rejoin.

"Four years later when joined the Air Force, I became part of an organization that was part of the reaction to that historical event." 


Senior Airman Stephanie Williams, Moody Air Force Base Honor Guard member

On September 11, 2001, Airman Williams was in her sophomore year at college and was attending a composition class in Fort Meyers, Fla.

"My first thought when I heard about the attacks was that it must have just been an accident because no official announcement at my school had been made. We found out about the incident through word of mouth. When we were told it had been caused by terrorists, naturally we were extremely upset. Nobody really knew what to say because we were all shocked about what was occurring.

"The events of 9/11 didn't have a direct impact on my decision to join the Air Force, but now serving, it has become an important date that really emphasizes what it means to be serving in the U.S. military."