STORIES

Freddie Ellis

Veteran

Freddie Ellis

Military Affiliations
  • Veteran Parent

MY connection to 9/11
  • I was serving in the military on 9/11

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

I was in the US Navy, on an oiler. It was appropriately 1730, and I had just sat down for chow. The TV was on and I thought it was just another crappy movie from Hollywood. Then I saw the banner flashing across the bottom of the screen saying, "Breaking news-Happening now." Then I knew it was real. Two hours later the Captain gave his most rebel-rousing-kick-their-assess-win-the-war-speeches of his life. It was because of that speech we were able to stay out-at-sea for 118 days straight. However, it was far from over, since the ship lent itself to the war, we carried literally high-multi-millions of gallons of highly-explosive fuel-oil. (I cannot say what type), all the holds and all the decks were packed with bombs and missiles of every kind. We were literally the biggest floating and most explosive ship in the world. One wrong move-one spark-one screw-up of any kind and we were all dead. The biggest piece of the ship would have been a piece of steel one-foot-long-by-one-foot-wide. The crew would have been vaporized, and the low-lying islands of the world would have been flooded. The crew and I were glad to do what we had to do in such dire circumstances. I would gladly do it again.

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

It taught me what true honor and patriotism really was. It taught my what “Old Glory” actually stands for. Pride, professionalism, Honor, Glory, but most of all a calling to be the best patriot I can be for all time. After serving, I joined the VFW, and preformed hundreds of services as a member of the Honor Guard, for the fallen heroes of the great land we call America.

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

I joined the VFW, and engaged to bring new light and new beginnings to the community, to prove that the VFW is an integral part of the American way.