Pictured here: a steel column recovered from the rubble of the World Trade Center — now serving as a memorial at CIA Headquarters to the fallen.
Remembering 9/11
25 Years later
Twenty-five years ago, our Nation was forever changed when al-Qa’ida carried out its attacks on September 11, 2001, taking nearly 3,000 lives.
In the days following the 9/11 attacks, Americans came together and showed the resolve, strength, and conviction that has defined our great country for 250 years.
Like so many times in our history, CIA has led the fight—quietly, and with steadfast determination. We landed a team in Afghanistan just weeks after the attacks, and we have been relentless in our efforts ever since. We will never forget.
In the hours that followed, our main conference room was transformed into a war room.
The next morning, I woke up, and for a brief moment, thought it had been a bad dream.
Even though I knew nobody in the towers, the terrorists struck at all of us.
We were all in shock after the terror attacks. It never slowed any of us down though. It only drove home how important our mission at CIA will always be.
I had never seen the parking lot at Headquarters as full as it was that September 12th.
That’s when we saw the other tower get hit, and we knew it was terrorism and that the world had just changed.
I've never been prouder to be a part of the organization than in the first few weeks after 9/11.
Besides the shock and tragedy, what I remember most was the spirit of CIA coming together to support each other continue the mission.
Those first few days were really hard to get through, but we knew we all had to be strong because the Nation was turning to the Agency for support.
I remember most how quiet and somber the halls of CIA were that first week after the attack.
In the hours that followed, our main conference room was transformed into a war room.
The next morning, I woke up, and for a brief moment, thought it had been a bad dream.
Even though I knew nobody in the towers, the terrorists struck at all of us.
We were all in shock after the terror attacks. It never slowed any of us down though. It only drove home how important our mission at CIA will always be.
I had never seen the parking lot at Headquarters as full as it was that September 12th.
That’s when we saw the other tower get hit, and we knew it was terrorism and that the world had just changed.
I've never been prouder to be a part of the organization than in the first few weeks after 9/11.
Besides the shock and tragedy, what I remember most was the spirit of CIA coming together to support each other continue the mission.
Those first few days were really hard to get through, but we knew we all had to be strong because the Nation was turning to the Agency for support.
I remember most how quiet and somber the halls of CIA were that first week after the attack.
