A Remembrance of September 11

As the nation this weekend reflects on the events and aftermath of September 11, 2001, NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell – who had been appointed Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission by President George W. Bush in January of 2001 – shares his reflection of that day:

I was a new FCC Chairman and had just settled down to breakfast with Rupert Murdoch when my phone rang.  My chief of staff informed me a plane had hit the World Trade Center. I was bemused at first, imagining a wayward Piper Cub.  My mood turned grim and fearful as she conveyed the details – big planes, two of them, massive explosions.  We were under attack. I rushed back to the FCC.  I was greeted at the door by staff and they started breathlessly briefing me about New York City. My attention swiveled to the southern sky where a huge dark plume of smoke was rising.

I exclaimed, "Forget New York for a minute. What is that?" pointing to the ominous cloud.  We rushed upstairs to the windows and could see the Pentagon aflame. We plugged into the government emergency briefing and began hearing the horrific and unimaginable story. Not an accident. Not an incident. Not an isolated attack. Fighter jets in the air. The fleet headed to sea. We were at war in the midst of a real battle. Then I shuddered when we were told all planes had been grounded, but one was not responding and appeared headed to DC.  I ordered everyone home immediately over the objection of OPM [US Office of Personnel Management], who had yet to authorize release of workers.  

I believed only two things were possible: either a plane-bomb was about to hit our city, or there was going to be a dogfight over our heads. It turned out there was a third possibility that came actually came to pass – heroic passengers selflessly attacking the attackers, bringing the plane down and saving countless lives.  "Let's Roll." I never loved my country more than in these moments, but I knew she would never be the same – her youthful innocence forever over. I only prayed our optimism and resilience would mature rapidly into steely resolve. It did and I remain proud to be an American.