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STORIES

Jim Chandler

Veteran

Military Affiliations

  • First Responder

MY connection to 9/11

  • I was serving in the military on 9/11

  • I had a family member join the military after 9/11

  • I was living in New York City or Washington, DC on 9/11

Where were you when you first heard about or saw the 9/11 terrorist attacks?

I was working at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, 10 miles from the Pentagon. When we heard the Pentagon was hit, I went outside and heard no aircraft in the sky due to the FFA shutdown of the airspace. It was very strange to hear no flights around DC. Then I heard two jets coming in from the south in a fast attack mode. They were the two Air Force jets from Langley AFB in Hampton Roads coming in to intercept the jet but they were 5 minutes to late. I x-rayed three people from the Pentagon that day. It was my first time, I couldn't figure out what to say to a trauma victim.

How did the events of that day shape your life and inspire your service to this country?

I stayed in the US Navy Reserves until I retired after 27 years of active and reserve duty. I moved to California after.

What are you excited to contribute to your community, however you define it, for the next 20 years?

Stay focused and do what you can for people. Life is short. Get a dog.

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