[Music] [Applause]
you’re all stronger than you know as
you’re all stronger than you know as Americans we are all stronger than we
Americans we are all stronger than we
Americans we are all stronger than we know so you see this fact became
know so you see this fact became
know so you see this fact became brutally clear to all of us on September
brutally clear to all of us on September
brutally clear to all of us on September 11th 2001 as I was standing with our
11th 2001 as I was standing with our
11th 2001 as I was standing with our nation’s highest leaders as the attack
nation’s highest leaders as the attack
nation’s highest leaders as the attack on America was in progress
on America was in progress
on America was in progress but let me back up as you heard I grew
but let me back up as you heard I grew
but let me back up as you heard I grew up in the marine corps I grew up flying
up in the marine corps I grew up flying
up in the marine corps I grew up flying attack helicopters I served in the first
attack helicopters I served in the first
attack helicopters I served in the first Gulf War and then again in 1993 I was
Gulf War and then again in 1993 I was
Gulf War and then again in 1993 I was deployed to Somalia Africa in June of
deployed to Somalia Africa in June of
deployed to Somalia Africa in June of 1998 I put a package in and I was
1998 I put a package in and I was
1998 I put a package in and I was selected to fly with Marine helicopter
selected to fly with Marine helicopter
selected to fly with Marine helicopter squadron one hmx won the presidential
squadron one hmx won the presidential
squadron one hmx won the presidential helicopter squadron our job is the sport
helicopter squadron our job is the sport
helicopter squadron our job is the sport is to support the president and the vice
is to support the president and the vice
is to support the president and the vice president with helicopter operations
president with helicopter operations
president with helicopter operations worldwide what people don’t realize is
worldwide what people don’t realize is
worldwide what people don’t realize is our president only flies in our
our president only flies in our
our president only flies in our helicopter
helicopter
helicopter he only rides in our limousines he only
he only rides in our limousines he only
he only rides in our limousines he only talks on our phones he’s only seen by
talks on our phones he’s only seen by
talks on our phones he’s only seen by our doctors he only eats the food we
our doctors he only eats the food we
our doctors he only eats the food we approved for him to eat and that happens
approved for him to eat and that happens
approved for him to eat and that happens worldwide in October of 2000 I was then
worldwide in October of 2000 I was then
worldwide in October of 2000 I was then asked to be the squadron representative
asked to be the squadron representative
asked to be the squadron representative in the White House military office where
in the White House military office where
in the White House military office where my job was to do those logistics so we
my job was to do those logistics so we
my job was to do those logistics so we would have the Air Force carry all those
would have the Air Force carry all those
would have the Air Force carry all those presidential assets worldwide so the
presidential assets worldwide so the
presidential assets worldwide so the moment the president stepped off Air
moment the president stepped off Air
moment the president stepped off Air Force One those helicopters limousines
Force One those helicopters limousines
Force One those helicopters limousines Secret Service snipers doctors
Secret Service snipers doctors
Secret Service snipers doctors everything he needed to perform to
everything he needed to perform to
everything he needed to perform to perform his executive agenda was there
perform his executive agenda was there
perform his executive agenda was there waiting for him
waiting for him
waiting for him fully rehearsed and ready to go and then
fully rehearsed and ready to go and then
fully rehearsed and ready to go and then he went when he was done and he was
he went when he was done and he was
he went when he was done and he was wheels up on Air Force One we had the
wheels up on Air Force One we had the
wheels up on Air Force One we had the Air Force come in with all the heavy
Air Force come in with all the heavy
Air Force come in with all the heavy lift assets and we would clean up that
lift assets and we would clean up that
lift assets and we would clean up that location and move it either to another
location and move it either to another
location and move it either to another location or back to Andrews Air Force
location or back to Andrews Air Force
location or back to Andrews Air Force Base in Virginia
Base in Virginia
Base in Virginia September 11th I’m in the Eisenhower
September 11th I’m in the Eisenhower
September 11th I’m in the Eisenhower executive office building 846 someone
executive office building 846 someone
executive office building 846 someone came running in to our office and
came running in to our office and
came running in to our office and hey sir turn on CNN apparently a small
hey sir turn on CNN apparently a small
hey sir turn on CNN apparently a small aircraft I just dropped the North Tower
aircraft I just dropped the North Tower
aircraft I just dropped the North Tower of the World Trade Center like all of
of the World Trade Center like all of
of the World Trade Center like all of you we turned on the TV we couldn’t help
you we turned on the TV we couldn’t help
you we turned on the TV we couldn’t help but notice what a beautiful clear blue
but notice what a beautiful clear blue
but notice what a beautiful clear blue day it was 78 degrees in Manhattan and
day it was 78 degrees in Manhattan and
day it was 78 degrees in Manhattan and why would a pilot run into a hundred and
why would a pilot run into a hundred and
why would a pilot run into a hundred and ten storey landmark on the day like that
ten storey landmark on the day like that
ten storey landmark on the day like that he had the East River to his right he
he had the East River to his right he
he had the East River to his right he had the Hudson River to his left and
had the Hudson River to his left and
had the Hudson River to his left and most aviators could even glide if they
most aviators could even glide if they
most aviators could even glide if they had to and reach LaGuardia Airport there
had to and reach LaGuardia Airport there
had to and reach LaGuardia Airport there must be much more to this story than we
must be much more to this story than we
must be much more to this story than we know sure enough the phones were ringing
know sure enough the phones were ringing
know sure enough the phones were ringing and we found out that was American
and we found out that was American
and we found out that was American Airlines flight 11 it departed Boston
Airlines flight 11 it departed Boston
Airlines flight 11 it departed Boston Logan Airport it was on its way out to
Logan Airport it was on its way out to
Logan Airport it was on its way out to California to land at LAX it was off
California to land at LAX it was off
California to land at LAX it was off course over Albany New York down the
course over Albany New York down the
course over Albany New York down the Hudson River and hit the building at
Hudson River and hit the building at
Hudson River and hit the building at over 500 miles an hour
over 500 miles an hour
over 500 miles an hour 903 just like all of you we are still in
903 just like all of you we are still in
903 just like all of you we are still in that Eisenhower building when we saw
that Eisenhower building when we saw
that Eisenhower building when we saw this aircraft come into view I remember
this aircraft come into view I remember
this aircraft come into view I remember yelling up at the TV screen hey what’s
yelling up at the TV screen hey what’s
yelling up at the TV screen hey what’s this moron doing trying to get a look at
this moron doing trying to get a look at
this moron doing trying to get a look at the hole in the North Tower
the hole in the North Tower
the hole in the North Tower when we watched him careening into the
when we watched him careening into the
when we watched him careening into the South Tower as certainly what looked
South Tower as certainly what looked
South Tower as certainly what looked like full power to us my boss was an Air
like full power to us my boss was an Air
like full power to us my boss was an Air Force full-bird colonel he came in the
Force full-bird colonel he came in the
Force full-bird colonel he came in the room is everybody stop what you’re doing
room is everybody stop what you’re doing
room is everybody stop what you’re doing eyeballs on me we have a full-blown
eyeballs on me we have a full-blown
eyeballs on me we have a full-blown terrorist event unfolding right before
terrorist event unfolding right before
terrorist event unfolding right before our eyes in the city of New York stand
our eyes in the city of New York stand
our eyes in the city of New York stand by for a lot of Whitehouse designated
by for a lot of Whitehouse designated
by for a lot of Whitehouse designated missions and really what that means is
missions and really what that means is
missions and really what that means is whenever we have a national disaster
whenever we have a national disaster
whenever we have a national disaster anywhere in our country we have amazing
anywhere in our country we have amazing
anywhere in our country we have amazing resources expertise people and equipment
resources expertise people and equipment
resources expertise people and equipment that need and want to go to these
that need and want to go to these
that need and want to go to these national national disaster sites but
national national disaster sites but
national national disaster sites but there’s only so many heavy lift assets
there’s only so many heavy lift assets
there’s only so many heavy lift assets so what they end up doing is they call
so what they end up doing is they call
so what they end up doing is they call the White House and they say hey boss
the White House and they say hey boss
the White House and they say hey boss this is the Federal Emergency Management
this is the Federal Emergency Management
this is the Federal Emergency Management Agency I need to be up there at Ground
Agency I need to be up there at Ground
Agency I need to be up there at Ground Zero and he goes go once the president
Zero and he goes go once the president
Zero and he goes go once the president says go they become a 1 alpha 1 priority
says go they become a 1 alpha 1 priority
says go they become a 1 alpha 1 priority mission we will push baby food out of
mission we will push baby food out of
mission we will push baby food out of the back of the next available asset to
the back of the next available asset to
the back of the next available asset to get them and their people airborne and
get them and their people airborne and
get them and their people airborne and up to the site about as quick as we can
up to the site about as quick as we can
up to the site about as quick as we can make it happen on 9/11 we were now
make it happen on 9/11 we were now
make it happen on 9/11 we were now fielding all the phone calls from all
fielding all the phone calls from all
fielding all the phone calls from all the government agencies requesting one
the government agencies requesting one
the government agencies requesting one hour
hour
hour for one priority and now diverting every
for one priority and now diverting every
for one priority and now diverting every airforce asset in the sky into Andrews
airforce asset in the sky into Andrews
airforce asset in the sky into Andrews Air Force Base and what were we gonna do
Air Force Base and what were we gonna do
Air Force Base and what were we gonna do is we call Rackham and stack them get
is we call Rackham and stack them get
is we call Rackham and stack them get him on the ground fill them with gas and
him on the ground fill them with gas and
him on the ground fill them with gas and have them stand by a lot of government
have them stand by a lot of government
have them stand by a lot of government agencies and people heading their way
agencies and people heading their way
agencies and people heading their way to get up there these two assist the
to get up there these two assist the
to get up there these two assist the people of New York 9:30 as we’re working
people of New York 9:30 as we’re working
people of New York 9:30 as we’re working the 1-alpha ones an airline over flew
the 1-alpha ones an airline over flew
the 1-alpha ones an airline over flew the White House the White House is
the White House the White House is
the White House the White House is prohibited airspace if you’re not marine
prohibited airspace if you’re not marine
prohibited airspace if you’re not marine one nobody over flies the White House
one nobody over flies the White House
one nobody over flies the White House ever and yet this jet was so low and so
ever and yet this jet was so low and so
ever and yet this jet was so low and so loud we froze right there and are in our
loud we froze right there and are in our
loud we froze right there and are in our spot right where we were
spot right where we were
spot right where we were somebody ran to a window and goes holy
somebody ran to a window and goes holy
somebody ran to a window and goes holy mackerel I just saw a big white jet hard
mackerel I just saw a big white jet hard
mackerel I just saw a big white jet hard left-hand turn heading west 937 breaking
left-hand turn heading west 937 breaking
left-hand turn heading west 937 breaking news fire and explosion over at the
news fire and explosion over at the
news fire and explosion over at the Pentagon this aircraft has just violated
Pentagon this aircraft has just violated
Pentagon this aircraft has just violated the airspace over the White House must
the airspace over the White House must
the airspace over the White House must have been the same aircraft that just
have been the same aircraft that just
have been the same aircraft that just careened into the west side of the
careened into the west side of the
careened into the west side of the Pentagon it turned out they were two
Pentagon it turned out they were two
Pentagon it turned out they were two separate aircraft the aircraft had just
separate aircraft the aircraft had just
separate aircraft the aircraft had just violated the president’s airspace was
violated the president’s airspace was
violated the president’s airspace was none other than an Air Force efore be a
none other than an Air Force efore be a
none other than an Air Force efore be a nuclear command and control platform
nuclear command and control platform
nuclear command and control platform because on 9/11 our military was doing a
because on 9/11 our military was doing a
because on 9/11 our military was doing a huge nuclear exercise we had parked this
huge nuclear exercise we had parked this
huge nuclear exercise we had parked this national level asset out of Andrews Air
national level asset out of Andrews Air
national level asset out of Andrews Air Force Base and when the second tower was
Force Base and when the second tower was
Force Base and when the second tower was hit they scrambled it and said get to
hit they scrambled it and said get to
hit they scrambled it and said get to the President of the United States and
the President of the United States and
the President of the United States and when there’s big 747 with the weird cone
when there’s big 747 with the weird cone
when there’s big 747 with the weird cone on top dialed in the president’s
on top dialed in the president’s
on top dialed in the president’s location and they had a laser line it
location and they had a laser line it
location and they had a laser line it took them right over the White House
took them right over the White House
took them right over the White House there were full operations operational
there were full operations operational
there were full operations operational and they’re heading to Sarasota Florida
and they’re heading to Sarasota Florida
and they’re heading to Sarasota Florida to join up with the president the
to join up with the president the
to join up with the president the aircraft that struck the Pentagon was
aircraft that struck the Pentagon was
aircraft that struck the Pentagon was none other than American Airlines flight
none other than American Airlines flight
none other than American Airlines flight 77 it took off at a Dulles Airport just
77 it took off at a Dulles Airport just
77 it took off at a Dulles Airport just west of Virginia when as far as Ohio
west of Virginia when as far as Ohio
west of Virginia when as far as Ohio made a right-hand 180 came back right
made a right-hand 180 came back right
made a right-hand 180 came back right hand 360 over top of Washington DC and
hand 360 over top of Washington DC and
hand 360 over top of Washington DC and careened into the west side of the
careened into the west side of the
careened into the west side of the Pentagon at 9:37 but literally this 757
Pentagon at 9:37 but literally this 757
Pentagon at 9:37 but literally this 757 carrying innocents and this 747 with
carrying innocents and this 747 with
carrying innocents and this 747 with military members must have passed each
military members must have passed each
military members must have passed each other in flight as one was racing to the
other in flight as one was racing to the
other in flight as one was racing to the present
present
present and the other was kid you know was
and the other was kid you know was
and the other was kid you know was hijacked and careening into the west
hijacked and careening into the west
hijacked and careening into the west side of our Pentagon 945 White House the
side of our Pentagon 945 White House the
side of our Pentagon 945 White House the border ordered evacuated all the loud
border ordered evacuated all the loud
border ordered evacuated all the loud speakers blared a life Eisenhower
speakers blared a life Eisenhower
speakers blared a life Eisenhower executive office building White House
executive office building White House
executive office building White House West Wing and everything else ordered to
West Wing and everything else ordered to
West Wing and everything else ordered to be emptied right now and make it happen
be emptied right now and make it happen
be emptied right now and make it happen my boss again came in said shut it down
my boss again came in said shut it down
my boss again came in said shut it down we got to go to the alternate site I
we got to go to the alternate site I
we got to go to the alternate site I said sir I can’t go wherever President
said sir I can’t go wherever President
said sir I can’t go wherever President Bush is going to go today cuz it’s
Bush is going to go today cuz it’s
Bush is going to go today cuz it’s obvious he’s not coming back to
obvious he’s not coming back to
obvious he’s not coming back to Washington DC he’s gonna need limousines
Washington DC he’s gonna need limousines
Washington DC he’s gonna need limousines helicopters phone with Secret Service
helicopters phone with Secret Service
helicopters phone with Secret Service nieghbors doctors everything that we do
nieghbors doctors everything that we do
nieghbors doctors everything that we do in airlift operations he said well you
in airlift operations he said well you
in airlift operations he said well you can’t do it from here go across the
can’t do it from here go across the
can’t do it from here go across the street go inside the President’s
street go inside the President’s
street go inside the President’s Emergency Operations Center do logistics
Emergency Operations Center do logistics
Emergency Operations Center do logistics from there the rest of us are going to
from there the rest of us are going to
from there the rest of us are going to go to the alternate site I got to the
go to the alternate site I got to the
go to the alternate site I got to the top of the staircase I’m looking over at
top of the staircase I’m looking over at
top of the staircase I’m looking over at the West Wing I had to stop just for a
the West Wing I had to stop just for a
the West Wing I had to stop just for a second and pause because the White House
second and pause because the White House
second and pause because the White House is a living fortress and yet on 9/11 the
is a living fortress and yet on 9/11 the
is a living fortress and yet on 9/11 the gates to the north were wide open the
gates to the north were wide open the
gates to the north were wide open the gates to the South were wide open Secret
gates to the South were wide open Secret
gates to the South were wide open Secret Service all had automatic weapons and
Service all had automatic weapons and
Service all had automatic weapons and they’re yelling in bullhorns ladies take
they’re yelling in bullhorns ladies take
they’re yelling in bullhorns ladies take off your heels and run there’s another
off your heels and run there’s another
off your heels and run there’s another plane inbound and watching these young
plane inbound and watching these young
plane inbound and watching these young twenty-year-old professional people
twenty-year-old professional people
twenty-year-old professional people dropping their purses kicking off their
dropping their purses kicking off their
dropping their purses kicking off their shoes sprinting off the White House
shoes sprinting off the White House
shoes sprinting off the White House complex was really just an unbelievable
complex was really just an unbelievable
complex was really just an unbelievable sight got across the street showed my
sight got across the street showed my
sight got across the street showed my credentials Secret Service lets me in
credentials Secret Service lets me in
credentials Secret Service lets me in before long I’m underground adore you
before long I’m underground adore you
before long I’m underground adore you and I can’t pull on opens enters I enter
and I can’t pull on opens enters I enter
and I can’t pull on opens enters I enter and I’m in the President’s Emergency
and I’m in the President’s Emergency
and I’m in the President’s Emergency Operations Center the bunker under the
Operations Center the bunker under the
Operations Center the bunker under the White House the first person I see was a
White House the first person I see was a
White House the first person I see was a vice president military aide good friend
vice president military aide good friend
vice president military aide good friend of mine I said Tom I’m here to do
of mine I said Tom I’m here to do
of mine I said Tom I’m here to do logistics I’ll stay out of your way he
logistics I’ll stay out of your way he
logistics I’ll stay out of your way he said Bob forget logistics and to the
said Bob forget logistics and to the
said Bob forget logistics and to the phones they ran off the hook I looked at
phones they ran off the hook I looked at
phones they ran off the hook I looked at this this console of military members
this this console of military members
this this console of military members all working the phones answering the
all working the phones answering the
all working the phones answering the radios taking notes doing what they’re
radios taking notes doing what they’re
radios taking notes doing what they’re trained to do and I can see at the very
trained to do and I can see at the very
trained to do and I can see at the very end there’s an empty console and as I
end there’s an empty console and as I
end there’s an empty console and as I got close to it I could hear the phone
got close to it I could hear the phone
got close to it I could hear the phone ringing I got down there I dropped my
ringing I got down there I dropped my
ringing I got down there I dropped my planning kit 9:52 when I picked up the
planning kit 9:52 when I picked up the
planning kit 9:52 when I picked up the phone and said major darling and the
phone and said major darling and the
phone and said major darling and the gentleman on the other end said major we
gentleman on the other end said major we
gentleman on the other end said major we have another hijack plane 16 miles south
have another hijack plane 16 miles south
have another hijack plane 16 miles south of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania inbound Washington DC
inbound Washington DC
inbound Washington DC naturally I told more you’re gonna have
naturally I told more you’re gonna have
naturally I told more you’re gonna have to hold on and I spun to my right to
to hold on and I spun to my right to
to hold on and I spun to my right to pass this information to the military
pass this information to the military
pass this information to the military aid and who standing next to me but Vice
aid and who standing next to me but Vice
aid and who standing next to me but Vice President Cheney behind him was his wife
President Cheney behind him was his wife
President Cheney behind him was his wife Lynn here comes dr. rice a National
Lynn here comes dr. rice a National
Lynn here comes dr. rice a National Security Advisor behind her was Stephen
Security Advisor behind her was Stephen
Security Advisor behind her was Stephen Hadley heard her deputy Norman Mineta
Hadley heard her deputy Norman Mineta
Hadley heard her deputy Norman Mineta the Secretary of Transportation and
the Secretary of Transportation and
the Secretary of Transportation and everybody else who was in the West Wing
everybody else who was in the West Wing
everybody else who was in the West Wing that morning was now evacuated
that morning was now evacuated
that morning was now evacuated underground into the bunker complex as a
underground into the bunker complex as a
underground into the bunker complex as a result of the violation of P 56 that Air
result of the violation of P 56 that Air
result of the violation of P 56 that Air Force v4b coming over to my console to
Force v4b coming over to my console to
Force v4b coming over to my console to hear about this new hijacked plane
hear about this new hijacked plane
hear about this new hijacked plane somewhere south of Pittsburgh I merely
somewhere south of Pittsburgh I merely
somewhere south of Pittsburgh I merely snapped – mr. vice president we have
snapped – mr. vice president we have
snapped – mr. vice president we have another hijacked plane coming at us sir
another hijacked plane coming at us sir
another hijacked plane coming at us sir they were reported south of Pittsburgh
they were reported south of Pittsburgh
they were reported south of Pittsburgh he turned to his left and up on the wall
he turned to his left and up on the wall
he turned to his left and up on the wall were these three speaker boxes they’re
were these three speaker boxes they’re
were these three speaker boxes they’re all landlines phone lines he can talk to
all landlines phone lines he can talk to
all landlines phone lines he can talk to anybody he wants to talk to they merely
anybody he wants to talk to they merely
anybody he wants to talk to they merely passed him through to the FAA he goes
passed him through to the FAA he goes
passed him through to the FAA he goes Rick it’s the vice president I just got
Rick it’s the vice president I just got
Rick it’s the vice president I just got word we have another hijacked plane
word we have another hijacked plane
word we have another hijacked plane somewhere south of Pittsburgh can you
somewhere south of Pittsburgh can you
somewhere south of Pittsburgh can you confirm that for me mr. vice president
confirm that for me mr. vice president
confirm that for me mr. vice president that aircraft is not talking
that aircraft is not talking
that aircraft is not talking it is not squawking the transponder code
it is not squawking the transponder code
it is not squawking the transponder code given air traffic control altitude
given air traffic control altitude
given air traffic control altitude airspeed and direction mr. vice
airspeed and direction mr. vice
airspeed and direction mr. vice president at the hijacked aircraft he
president at the hijacked aircraft he
president at the hijacked aircraft he goes to the other speaker box he’s
goes to the other speaker box he’s
goes to the other speaker box he’s looking for Donald Rumsfeld the other
looking for Donald Rumsfeld the other
looking for Donald Rumsfeld the other member of the National Command Authority
member of the National Command Authority
member of the National Command Authority who can give offensive lethal
who can give offensive lethal
who can give offensive lethal instructions to the US military Donald
instructions to the US military Donald
instructions to the US military Donald Rumsfeld was not in the building as a
Rumsfeld was not in the building as a
Rumsfeld was not in the building as a result of the impact of flight 77 he ran
result of the impact of flight 77 he ran
result of the impact of flight 77 he ran outside to assist with the wounded we
outside to assist with the wounded we
outside to assist with the wounded we had the president getting on Air Force
had the president getting on Air Force
had the president getting on Air Force One
One
One we had Donald Rumsfeld outside the
we had Donald Rumsfeld outside the
we had Donald Rumsfeld outside the building the Vice President Cheney then
building the Vice President Cheney then
building the Vice President Cheney then said general I want you to listen to me
said general I want you to listen to me
said general I want you to listen to me I want two f-15s I want him out of
I want two f-15s I want him out of
I want two f-15s I want him out of oldest Air National Guard base in Cape
oldest Air National Guard base in Cape
oldest Air National Guard base in Cape Cod let me know when they’re airborne
Cod let me know when they’re airborne
Cod let me know when they’re airborne stand by to shoot this aircraft down and
stand by to shoot this aircraft down and
stand by to shoot this aircraft down and I remembered naturally I took a step
I remembered naturally I took a step
I remembered naturally I took a step away from him I turned because in my
away from him I turned because in my
away from him I turned because in my mind we are our job in the US military
mind we are our job in the US military
mind we are our job in the US military was to create options for the president
was to create options for the president
was to create options for the president that’s what we do and on 9/11 with the
that’s what we do and on 9/11 with the
that’s what we do and on 9/11 with the president getting on the aircraft and
president getting on the aircraft and
president getting on the aircraft and the band the Secretary of Defense
the band the Secretary of Defense
the band the Secretary of Defense outside we weren’t just creating options
outside we weren’t just creating options
outside we weren’t just creating options we were executing plans and I looked at
we were executing plans and I looked at
we were executing plans and I looked at Vice President Cheney completely
Vice President Cheney completely
Vice President Cheney completely differently that day and I realized this
differently that day and I realized this
differently that day and I realized this is not an ordinary politician
is not an ordinary politician
is not an ordinary politician this is somebody who was a congressman
this is somebody who was a congressman
this is somebody who was a congressman from Wyoming a chief of staff for
from Wyoming a chief of staff for
from Wyoming a chief of staff for President Ford a Secretary of Defense
President Ford a Secretary of Defense
President Ford a Secretary of Defense for the first President Bush and now
for the first President Bush and now
for the first President Bush and now vice president of the United States and
vice president of the United States and
vice president of the United States and he just unleashed the United States Air
he just unleashed the United States Air
he just unleashed the United States Air Force to intercept a civilian airliner
Force to intercept a civilian airliner
Force to intercept a civilian airliner really minutes later we heard those
really minutes later we heard those
really minutes later we heard those f-15s they were airborne there were
f-15s they were airborne there were
f-15s they were airborne there were 1,200 miles an hour they were supersonic
1,200 miles an hour they were supersonic
1,200 miles an hour they were supersonic there were five minutes away from United
there were five minutes away from United
there were five minutes away from United flight 93 and without hesitation he said
flight 93 and without hesitation he said
flight 93 and without hesitation he said shoot that aircraft down everybody then
shoot that aircraft down everybody then
shoot that aircraft down everybody then went quiet it was a military mission in
went quiet it was a military mission in
went quiet it was a military mission in action and all of a sudden we heard at
action and all of a sudden we heard at
action and all of a sudden we heard at 10:05 aircraft down aircraft down 68
10:05 aircraft down aircraft down 68
10:05 aircraft down aircraft down 68 miles south of Pittsburgh no survivors I
miles south of Pittsburgh no survivors I
miles south of Pittsburgh no survivors I remember staring at Vice President
remember staring at Vice President
remember staring at Vice President Cheney had his back to us he was looking
Cheney had his back to us he was looking
Cheney had his back to us he was looking up at those three speaker boxes he spun
up at those three speaker boxes he spun
up at those three speaker boxes he spun around he came right over to my console
around he came right over to my console
around he came right over to my console and he said major for the congressional
and he said major for the congressional
and he said major for the congressional investigation state your full name and
investigation state your full name and
investigation state your full name and I’m thinking unbelievable I was here to
I’m thinking unbelievable I was here to
I’m thinking unbelievable I was here to do logistics and now I’m in between the
do logistics and now I’m in between the
do logistics and now I’m in between the vice president and the US military taken
vice president and the US military taken
vice president and the US military taken action against a hijacked civilian
action against a hijacked civilian
action against a hijacked civilian airliner so I stated my name he turned
airliner so I stated my name he turned
airliner so I stated my name he turned he said from major darling and the
he said from major darling and the
he said from major darling and the National Military Command Center to the
National Military Command Center to the
National Military Command Center to the vice president we just shot that plane
vice president we just shot that plane
vice president we just shot that plane down I really need to talk to the
down I really need to talk to the
down I really need to talk to the president and now everybody turned to
president and now everybody turned to
president and now everybody turned to and they’re going Air Force One Air
and they’re going Air Force One Air
and they’re going Air Force One Air Force one this is the peoc and they’re
Force one this is the peoc and they’re
Force one this is the peoc and they’re trying to raise the president up on the
trying to raise the president up on the
trying to raise the president up on the net and just as he was doing that all
net and just as he was doing that all
net and just as he was doing that all those same radios blared back to life
those same radios blared back to life
those same radios blared back to life the f-15s never fired the f-15s never
the f-15s never fired the f-15s never
the f-15s never fired the f-15s never fired 40 innocent ordinary Americans
fired 40 innocent ordinary Americans
fired 40 innocent ordinary Americans United themselves when they learned from
United themselves when they learned from
United themselves when they learned from loved ones we got three planes and three
loved ones we got three planes and three
loved ones we got three planes and three targets this is not a ransom mission
targets this is not a ransom mission
targets this is not a ransom mission we’re not going to Cuba if we don’t take
we’re not going to Cuba if we don’t take
we’re not going to Cuba if we don’t take action we’re just going to see here and
action we’re just going to see here and
action we’re just going to see here and we’re gonna die and they did they storm
we’re gonna die and they did they storm
we’re gonna die and they did they storm the cockpit they fought back with these
the cockpit they fought back with these
the cockpit they fought back with these terrorists they won they ultimately
terrorists they won they ultimately
terrorists they won they ultimately overpowered those terrorists that plane
overpowered those terrorists that plane
overpowered those terrorists that plane went completely inverted and hid in a
went completely inverted and hid in a
went completely inverted and hid in a field in Shanksville pen
field in Shanksville pen
field in Shanksville pen Sylvania at over 500 miles an hour they
Sylvania at over 500 miles an hour they
Sylvania at over 500 miles an hour they said that when the FBI went out there to
said that when the FBI went out there to
said that when the FBI went out there to comb the wreckage of flight 93 the last
comb the wreckage of flight 93 the last
comb the wreckage of flight 93 the last piece of steel was found 40 feet down in
piece of steel was found 40 feet down in
piece of steel was found 40 feet down in the ground ordinary Americans doing
the ground ordinary Americans doing
the ground ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things to save each other
extraordinary things to save each other
extraordinary things to save each other on 9/11 the president now is on the net
on 9/11 the president now is on the net
on 9/11 the president now is on the net vice-president and he or having
vice-president and he or having
vice-president and he or having discussions and all of a sudden
discussions and all of a sudden
discussions and all of a sudden 10:08 CNN is now reporting that in fact
10:08 CNN is now reporting that in fact
10:08 CNN is now reporting that in fact the South Tower of the World Trade
the South Tower of the World Trade
the South Tower of the World Trade Center had collapsed just moments before
Center had collapsed just moments before
Center had collapsed just moments before he literally said mr. president why I
he literally said mr. president why I
he literally said mr. president why I got you on the phone sir we get a report
got you on the phone sir we get a report
got you on the phone sir we get a report here the South Tower of the World Trade
here the South Tower of the World Trade
here the South Tower of the World Trade Center complex has collapsed he flipped
Center complex has collapsed he flipped
Center complex has collapsed he flipped over a sheet of paper he starts
over a sheet of paper he starts
over a sheet of paper he starts scribbling some rough water math and he
scribbling some rough water math and he
scribbling some rough water math and he goes mr. president it’s my best guess we
goes mr. president it’s my best guess we
goes mr. president it’s my best guess we have 20,000 dead americans in the city
have 20,000 dead americans in the city
have 20,000 dead americans in the city of new york mr. president why gotcha on
of new york mr. president why gotcha on
of new york mr. president why gotcha on the phone sir a portion of the Pentagon
the phone sir a portion of the Pentagon
the phone sir a portion of the Pentagon has just collapsed again I don’t have
has just collapsed again I don’t have
has just collapsed again I don’t have accurate figures it’s my best guess we
accurate figures it’s my best guess we
accurate figures it’s my best guess we have 800 to a thousand dead Americans
have 800 to a thousand dead Americans
have 800 to a thousand dead Americans over at the Pentagon they quickly turned
over at the Pentagon they quickly turned
over at the Pentagon they quickly turned her back to us they had some private
her back to us they had some private
her back to us they had some private words they hung up the phone immediately
words they hung up the phone immediately
words they hung up the phone immediately just a few minutes later but we’re now
just a few minutes later but we’re now
just a few minutes later but we’re now at 10:29 we lost the North Tower
at 10:29 we lost the North Tower
at 10:29 we lost the North Tower presidents back on the net mr. president
presidents back on the net mr. president
presidents back on the net mr. president we lost 40,000 dead Americans in the
we lost 40,000 dead Americans in the
we lost 40,000 dead Americans in the city in New York President Bush didn’t
city in New York President Bush didn’t
city in New York President Bush didn’t say a word he was overcome we thought
say a word he was overcome we thought
say a word he was overcome we thought maybe is one of those phone calls that
maybe is one of those phone calls that
maybe is one of those phone calls that actually drops off the net and then
actually drops off the net and then
actually drops off the net and then finally he came back and he said what is
finally he came back and he said what is
finally he came back and he said what is Mayor Giuliani saying has anyone talked
Mayor Giuliani saying has anyone talked
Mayor Giuliani saying has anyone talked to Mayor Giuliani no sir
to Mayor Giuliani no sir
to Mayor Giuliani no sir no phone call with the mayor’s office
no phone call with the mayor’s office
no phone call with the mayor’s office what about the hospitals where the
what about the hospitals where the
what about the hospitals where the hospital’s saying as far as dead wounded
hospital’s saying as far as dead wounded
hospital’s saying as far as dead wounded up there in the city of New York what
up there in the city of New York what
up there in the city of New York what are we getting from them sir no reports
are we getting from them sir no reports
are we getting from them sir no reports from any hospitals in the city of New
from any hospitals in the city of New
from any hospitals in the city of New York he goes what about FEMA the Federal
York he goes what about FEMA the Federal
York he goes what about FEMA the Federal Emergency Management Agency what are
Emergency Management Agency what are
Emergency Management Agency what are they seeing on the ground up there what
they seeing on the ground up there what
they seeing on the ground up there what are they saying
are they saying
are they saying and he goes mr. president FEMA hasn’t
and he goes mr. president FEMA hasn’t
and he goes mr. president FEMA hasn’t even left yet and you had this
even left yet and you had this
even left yet and you had this overwhelming sense of despair that the
overwhelming sense of despair that the
overwhelming sense of despair that the President of the United States who’s
President of the United States who’s
President of the United States who’s been president for eight months he’s got
been president for eight months he’s got
been president for eight months he’s got over 300 million Americans counting on
over 300 million Americans counting on
over 300 million Americans counting on him an hour and 42 after an hour and 42
him an hour and 42 after an hour and 42
him an hour and 42 after an hour and 42 minutes after the attack began and we
minutes after the attack began and we
minutes after the attack began and we had no response from the federal
had no response from the federal
had no response from the federal government to help the people of New
government to help the people of New
government to help the people of New York and despite the horrific loss of
York and despite the horrific loss of
York and despite the horrific loss of life that day where we told the
life that day where we told the
life that day where we told the president we had as much as 40,000 dead
president we had as much as 40,000 dead
president we had as much as 40,000 dead Americans in fact we had only a fraction
Americans in fact we had only a fraction
Americans in fact we had only a fraction of that why because ordinary Americans
of that why because ordinary Americans
of that why because ordinary Americans did extraordinary things to save each
did extraordinary things to save each
did extraordinary things to save each other again just like flight 93 these
other again just like flight 93 these
other again just like flight 93 these Americans up there in New York City
Americans up there in New York City
Americans up there in New York City ferry boat captain stockbrokers lawyers
ferry boat captain stockbrokers lawyers
ferry boat captain stockbrokers lawyers construction workers shopkeepers opened
construction workers shopkeepers opened
construction workers shopkeepers opened up their stores in their hearts after
up their stores in their hearts after
up their stores in their hearts after after as soon as they could when they
after as soon as they could when they
after as soon as they could when they felt safe to save somebody else a life
felt safe to save somebody else a life
felt safe to save somebody else a life of another person unbelievable
of another person unbelievable
of another person unbelievable bravery and resilience and we saw it
bravery and resilience and we saw it
bravery and resilience and we saw it again with the shooting at Sandy Hook
again with the shooting at Sandy Hook
again with the shooting at Sandy Hook elementary the Boston bombing up at the
elementary the Boston bombing up at the
elementary the Boston bombing up at the marathon we just saw it again at the
marathon we just saw it again at the
marathon we just saw it again at the pulse nightclub in Orlando and as
pulse nightclub in Orlando and as
pulse nightclub in Orlando and as recently as a few weeks ago at the open
recently as a few weeks ago at the open
recently as a few weeks ago at the open air concert in Las Vegas Nevada
air concert in Las Vegas Nevada
air concert in Las Vegas Nevada Americans doing extraordinary things to
Americans doing extraordinary things to
Americans doing extraordinary things to save each other from that moment on I
save each other from that moment on I
save each other from that moment on I stopped saying that and I decided it’s
stopped saying that and I decided it’s
stopped saying that and I decided it’s not ordinary Americans doing
not ordinary Americans doing
not ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things
extraordinary things
extraordinary things it’s extraordinary Americans doing
it’s extraordinary Americans doing
it’s extraordinary Americans doing heroic things to save each other when it
heroic things to save each other when it
heroic things to save each other when it comes to bravery perseverance and
comes to bravery perseverance and
comes to bravery perseverance and resilience Americans have cornered the
resilience Americans have cornered the
resilience Americans have cornered the market what we’re talking about bridges
market what we’re talking about bridges
market what we’re talking about bridges today so how do we bridge this great
today so how do we bridge this great
today so how do we bridge this great American trait called resilience and
American trait called resilience and
American trait called resilience and turn it into a level of sustained
turn it into a level of sustained
turn it into a level of sustained performance resilience isn’t a strategy
performance resilience isn’t a strategy
performance resilience isn’t a strategy it’s a trait as a nation we have to get
it’s a trait as a nation we have to get
it’s a trait as a nation we have to get better we just can’t keep counting our
better we just can’t keep counting our
better we just can’t keep counting our resilience how we’re gonna take it to
resilience how we’re gonna take it to
resilience how we’re gonna take it to the next level you know I put a lot of
the next level you know I put a lot of
the next level you know I put a lot of thought into this and I realized it’s
thought into this and I realized it’s
thought into this and I realized it’s really not much different than a young
really not much different than a young
really not much different than a young athlete who has incredible natural
athlete who has incredible natural
athlete who has incredible natural talent and then he’s all of a sudden
talent and then he’s all of a sudden
talent and then he’s all of a sudden developed or she developed into an
developed or she developed into an
developed or she developed into an Olympian or world-record holder how does
Olympian or world-record holder how does
Olympian or world-record holder how does that happen how do you take somebody
that happen how do you take somebody
that happen how do you take somebody from a young age and develop them into a
from a young age and develop them into a
from a young age and develop them into a champion and I realize it’s training
champion and I realize it’s training
champion and I realize it’s training it’s coaching and it’s practice and we
it’s coaching and it’s practice and we
it’s coaching and it’s practice and we need to do the same thing now in America
need to do the same thing now in America
need to do the same thing now in America we need to train more crisis leaders men
we need to train more crisis leaders men
we need to train more crisis leaders men and women
and women
and women who are able to lead us in times of
who are able to lead us in times of
who are able to lead us in times of uncertainty willing to stand up make a
uncertainty willing to stand up make a
uncertainty willing to stand up make a decision communicate clearly and
decision communicate clearly and
decision communicate clearly and effectively and ultimately have a little
effectively and ultimately have a little
effectively and ultimately have a little empathy so the rest of us can heal and
empathy so the rest of us can heal and
empathy so the rest of us can heal and recover
recover
recover we need coaching we need to get more
we need coaching we need to get more
we need coaching we need to get more experts in our organizations and do and
experts in our organizations and do and
experts in our organizations and do and develop our business continuity plans
develop our business continuity plans
develop our business continuity plans our disaster recovery plans our
our disaster recovery plans our
our disaster recovery plans our emergency communication plans we need to
emergency communication plans we need to
emergency communication plans we need to make sure that they are not only
make sure that they are not only
make sure that they are not only understood but they are accessible 24
understood but they are accessible 24
understood but they are accessible 24 hours a day and finally we need to
hours a day and finally we need to
hours a day and finally we need to practice and by practice it means as an
practice and by practice it means as an
practice and by practice it means as an organization or a company or a community
organization or a company or a community
organization or a company or a community we need to do tabletop exercises so our
we need to do tabletop exercises so our
we need to do tabletop exercises so our leaders know what to do and what their
leaders know what to do and what their
leaders know what to do and what their roles and responsibilities are in any
roles and responsibilities are in any
roles and responsibilities are in any type of tragedy and we need to do
type of tragedy and we need to do
type of tragedy and we need to do full-blown exercises with everyone
full-blown exercises with everyone
full-blown exercises with everyone involved maybe even include our first
involved maybe even include our first
involved maybe even include our first responders from our communities and our
responders from our communities and our
responders from our communities and our community leaders to come on in so
community leaders to come on in so
community leaders to come on in so together we can learn how to recognize
together we can learn how to recognize
together we can learn how to recognize react recover respond to any world
react recover respond to any world
react recover respond to any world crisis or any adverse event in our
crisis or any adverse event in our
crisis or any adverse event in our communities today let’s face it if you
communities today let’s face it if you
communities today let’s face it if you read the news crisis leadership and
read the news crisis leadership and
read the news crisis leadership and management is no longer a luxury it’s
management is no longer a luxury it’s
management is no longer a luxury it’s now a requirement it’s a necessity given
now a requirement it’s a necessity given
now a requirement it’s a necessity given the world that we live in today
the world that we live in today
the world that we live in today so I want to tell you this in closing I
so I want to tell you this in closing I
so I want to tell you this in closing I want you all to do me a favor and never
want you all to do me a favor and never
want you all to do me a favor and never forget 911 I also want you to never pass
forget 911 I also want you to never pass
forget 911 I also want you to never pass up the opportunity to thank those that
up the opportunity to thank those that
up the opportunity to thank those that protect and serve us heal us or defend
protect and serve us heal us or defend
protect and serve us heal us or defend our freedoms and our way of life and
our freedoms and our way of life and
our freedoms and our way of life and lastly never forget the enormous impact
lastly never forget the enormous impact
lastly never forget the enormous impact each of you have in the lives of so many
each of you have in the lives of so many
each of you have in the lives of so many so god bless you and God bless the
so god bless you and God bless the
so god bless you and God bless the United States thank you
United States thank you
United States thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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