Airplan: 5-11 Sep

Several years back I had the extraordinary privilege to get to know a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack who had been assigned to one of the gun turret crews onboard the USS Nevada (BB-36).  As a junior "hinge" (O-4/LCDR) I was both captivated by the re-telling, first hand, of the accounts of that morning, and given to thought about my reactions during and afterwards should I ever find myself in a similar position.

In the early morning hours of September 12, 2001 I had my answer.

I understand now the pivotal role an event like that plays in one’s life — it becomes a continental divide with everything labeled "pre-" or "post-".  Your viewpoint and reactions change – some subtly, others, not so. 

And one thing else – you never forget.

Ever.

And so this minor site’s way of remembrance began last year and will follow this year as such:

Thursday and Friday will be YHS’ first hand recounting of his experiences in the Pentagon during and immediately after the strike.  We are going to put off Flightdeck Friday for a week (but for those needing a fix, we will have a post up over at The Tailhook Daily Briefing this Friday).  Saturday will be reserved for trackbacks per the new plan, but we would like to limit those trackbacks strictly to 9/11 content – preferably for those memorializing those whom we lost that terrible day.  Sunday and Monday will be a recounting and memorial of those we knew on the Navy Staff who were lost in the Navy Command Center.  Tuesday, the 6th anniversary, will find our two Project 2996 posts – one for CAPT Bob Dolan, USN (Pentagon) and the other for Mr. Colin Arthur Bonnett (WTC).

After the 11th, we will resume normal posting.  If, between now and the 11th you would like to join in the remembrance, please visit the 2996 Project blog and review the "Project 2,996 for 2007" entry.  If you need help, drop us a note offline – we would be more than pleased to do so.

– SJS