Sept. 11, 2001:

The day that

changed America

Special to the Putnam Town Crier

“We’ve been hit by a plane.  Get out of here.”

Those were the words of Commander Dave Radi to Dee Carnahan on September 11, 2001 immediately following the impact of the plane that crashed into the Pentagon less than a football field’s distance from the Vice Chief of Naval Operations’ office where the pair was working on the day that changed America.

Dee Carnahan, who grew up in Putnam as Dolores Coderre, arrived at her Pentagon office on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 at approximately 7 a.m. after a half-hour pleasant trip from her home in Annandale, Va., on a day she describes as, “a beautiful day, without a cloud in the sky.”  After securing a “great parking spot” and purchasing a cup of coffee in the Starbucks Pentagon, she was prepared for a “business as usual day.”

On January 19, 1970, shortly after graduating from Putnam High School, Carnahan said goodbye to her family and departed for Washington, D.C. and what would turn into a 32-year career with the United States Department of the Navy.  During that time she worked her way into her position with the Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

On the morning of September 11, 2001 Carnahan and Commander Radi were the two early birds in the office as the Vice Chief, was in meetings in the Command Center preparing for a budget meeting.  One of Carnahan’s closest friends and co-worker Peggy Boden was also in her office in the E-Ring of the Pentagon.  

The television in the VCNO’s office was on CNN on mute, as it was every day according to Carnahan.

The atmosphere in the office that fateful day was light.  That morning her assignment was to contact her counterparts in the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps checking on the dates for their department Christmas parties to avoid conflicts for the upcoming holiday season.  

Suddenly, the CNN images on TV picked up the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.

As Carnahan and Radi turned up the volume on the TV, Commander Radi exclaimed, “We’re being attacked.”  At that moment, the budget meeting, the atmosphere in the Vice Chief’s office and the Pentagon changed its focus to the happenings in Washington, D.C. and to the Navy’s ships positioned around the world.

The United States Navy and the Pentagon suddenly was transformed into “complete war mode,” according to Carnahan.

“Is the Pentagon in jeopardy of being hit by a plane?” Carnahan asked Radi.  He assured her that would not occur.  A short 10 minutes later at 9:38 a.m. the Pentagon and its new Navy Command Center was struck by the terrorist hijacked plane and approximately 10 highly classified Navy personnel and civilians in the new wedge were dead.  

The United States of America was under attack and in turmoil.

Getting Out of the Building

Shortly following the impact of the crash Admiral Bill “Fox” Fallon commandeered two young sailors with instructions, “Petty Officers I want you to get Dee out of here safely.”  They obediently saluted their superior officer, took Carnahan by the arms and began the journey to exit the massive structure.

Getting out of the Pentagon wasn’t as easy as following Admiral Fallon’s instructions.  Having received news that another plane was headed to the Pentagon, many of the 20,000 people in the building were on the same mission, exiting the building.

Following more than 30 minutes of attempting to figure out the fastest and safest way to exit the building, Carnahan with the assistance of her escorts reached an area of the Pentagon known as the River entrance.

“Outside on a grassy area I looked around and all I could see was black smoke.  The press was already on the scene.  Someone stuck a mic in my face with a question.  I was in such shock all I did was walk away,” said Carnahan.

Walking away as quickly as she could Carnahan had two things in mind, finding her husband, Rick who worked in a building about a mile away and wondering about her friend Peggy who had been in the area where the plane struck the building.  

Surprisingly she found her friend Peggy.  They were both in tears.  As they hugged, they realized that each thought the other might have been killed by the impact of the plane.  A few weeks later, Peggy related to Dee that as she was in her office, she looked out of the windows and saw the plane, about ¾ of a mile from the Pentagon, heading directly in their direction.  She shouted, “I’m out of here.”  A move that saved her life.

Despite phone lines that were jammed, Carnahan’s husband had gotten through to her office and was assured that she was out of the building.  He was immediately on a mission to locate her.  As she walked in a dazed condition she met a person moving in her direction and it was Rick.  She was in such shock that she didn’t recognize him at first glance.

“I was crying uncontrollably.  We hugged and he assured me I was safe.  We walked to his office, where I called my elderly mother in Putnam to let her know I was safe,” explained Carnahan.  “Mom began crying the moment she heard my voice and I was crying also.”

Within a week, Carnahan was back at work in temporary headquarters at the Navy Annex.  A month later, she and other survivors were back in the Pentagon carrying on, although life in the Pentagon and for Carnahan would never be the same.

“The first plane that flew over our building scared everyone as memories of 9/11 ran through everyone’s minds.  Returning to the Pentagon I never felt comfortable as the odor of jet fuel permeated our offices,” said Carnahan.

Carnahan remained in her position for seven months, following the attack on the Pentagon.    

Life After 9/11

Since her retirement on April 26, 2002 Carnahan has not returned to the Pentagon.  She has visited the 9/11Memorial in Washington.  Looking over the names on the Memorial, Carnahan is astonished at how many of those who lost their lives she knew.

A few years after her retirement, she and her husband built a home in Woodstock, which they still occupy today.  She’s involved with her church and assists other organizations, especially those involving veterans, as a volunteer when they call for help.

In reflecting on life in the Pentagon and in general prior to the 9/11 attacks Carnahan said, “It was a simpler time.  I always felt safe in the Pentagon but the world has changed since that morning in September 2001.”

Although she doesn’t dwell on the morning of September 11, she admits that when she hears or reads about terrorist attacks she thinks back to her experience in the Pentagon.

“When you were part of it (the attack) there are always reminders.  I realize how fortunate I was.  But for the grace of God I and many others could have died,” she said reflecting on her experience.

As the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks approach, Carnahan will gather with others in a special remembrance ceremony schedule for 2 p.m. at the Putnam Middle School auditorium.  During the ceremony, as she shares her story with those in attendance, it will be an occasion for her and others, as they reflect, that as Americans we can’t forget that day.

 

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