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    Remembering the day when everything changed: Fort Campbell civilian recounts the 9/11 attacks

    Remembering the day when everything changed: Fort Campbell civilian recounts the 9/11 attacks

    Photo By Maria McClure | (Photo Credit: Maria Rice McClure Fort Campbell Courier) Staff Sgt. Justin Lynch, a...... read more read more

    FORT CAMPBELL, KY, UNITED STATES

    09.15.2016

    Courtesy Story

    Fort Campbell Public Affairs Office

    By Maria Rice McClure, Fort Campbell Courier

    It was a bright, sunny September morning as then-Master Sgt. Najaneiro L. Handley was driving to work. It had only been two weeks since she arrived at Fort Myer, Virginia, where she was assigned to be the noncommissioned officer in charge of Casualty and Mortuary Affairs.

    Handley was listening to the radio when she heard that an airplane had crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.

    "At that moment I'm thinking who could possibly be joking on the radio about something so serious," said Handley, who today works as an Army Community Service human resources representative at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center on Fort Campbell.

    Shortly after the first announcement, another sounded across the airwaves -- a second airplane had caromed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

    The United States was under attack.

    "Not long after that announcement the radio went silent along with all cellphone communication," she said.

    As Handley approached the entrance gate at Fort Myer, she asked the Military Police officer what was happening. The gate guard confirmed the news that she had heard on the radio and added that the Pentagon also had been attacked.

    "Fifteen years have passed, but this tragic event seems as if it just happened yesterday," Handley said. "You hear a lot about those who died in the Twin Towers, but not much about those who perished in the Pentagon attack."

    There were 125 people killed inside the Pentagon as well as 54 passengers -- other than the hijackers -- who were on board the American Airlines Flight 77.

    "I still get emotional about the tragedy. But I remain so proud of us as Americans," she said. "We must honor and respect this day and never forget those victims who perished and their loved ones. I do not remember the birth of my children as vividly as I remember the birth of Sept. 11, 2001."

    The Pentagon

    Handley had never worked in the position of NCOIC of Casualty and Mortuary Affairs before this assignment. Her office's area of responsibility was the metropolitan area of the District of Columbia, which included the Pentagon.

    "I learned all the ins and outs that day," Handley said. "I knew the day would be difficult but never could I have imagined such grief, sorrow and pain. So many Soldiers and civilians lost their lives and Families damaged, not including the injured."

    Army leadership decided that the civilians who perished would be given the same honor and respect as the Soldiers who died in the attack.

    "Because we are a military Family," she said.

    After meeting with Pentagon officials the painstaking task of identifying the victims began, which included accounting for everyone's whereabouts at the time of the attack.

    "It was painful and overwhelming every time we identified the name of someone who perished," Handley said.

    There was a staff of three people assigned to the Fort Myer Casualty and Mortuary Affairs office at the time of the attack.

    "No one else could make their way onto Fort Myer, because the traffic was deadlocked. We worked approximately 40 hours straight trying our best to accommodate everyone," Handley said. "We did not realize we had worked this long because of the volume of information flowing in. We did not want to disappoint anyone or their Families, and the leadership took care of our needs. We came together that day. It was as if I was sitting on a cloud looking down and all I could see was unity, love, togetherness, compassion -- strictly teamwork, there was no race, gender, religion, power or money involved on this day. We stood united."

    As identifications continued, Family notifications began.

    "To see a Family, friends or loved one go through so much pain and there was nothing I could do to relieve this pain was heartbreaking," she said.

    The sheer volume of information to be processed became overwhelming so Soldiers were assigned to provide notification and individualized assistance to the Families of the victims and the Casualty and Mortuary Affairs staff focused on processing personnel documents including life insurance claims.

    As the victims were identified and Families notified, Handley and her staff began the next phase which included ensuring that "the victims were dressed honorably and all awards and decorations were received," she said. "One of us had to attend every funeral to ensure the highest respect and honors were given to the fallen and their Families."

    Handley alone attended more funerals than she could count that September in 2001.

    "It was a true honor, privilege and reward to serve the victims and their Families," she said. "I often ask God why he chose me for such a horrific task. Today I understand. Why not me?"

    Helping Soldiers

    Today, Handley is retired from the Army and works at Fort Campbell's Soldier and Family Assistance Center, which supports Soldiers at Warrior Transition Battalion.

    In 2007, she returned to her childhood home in Nashville after her mother became ill and then helped stand-up the Fort Campbell SFAC to again support others.

    "This place is a lifesaving and life changing organization for Soldiers who are terminally, mentally and physically ill or injured who are transitioning out of the military or may return to duty," Handley said. "Once again what a privilege and honor God has bestowed upon me."

    She works with Soldiers throughout their stay at WTB assisting them with navigating the sometimes stressful task of transition brought about by an injury or illness. Handley has seen Soldiers at what might be the worst point in their lives while facing the possible end of their Army careers, and she has watched many grow and improve because of their time at WTB.

    "When I see them improving and doing so well it motivates and inspires me," she said." I am elated when I see a Soldier doing better."

    Handley and the staff at the SFAC are always available to help with a problem, offer advice or just listen. Many Soldiers who have left WTB remain in contact with Handley, often checking back in with a text, email or telephone call.

    "When I see them, it's the light of my day," she said. "Every day I say a prayer: 'God, help me encourage and bless everyone I run into today.'"

    Staff Sgt. Justin Lynch, a Wisconsin Reservist who is assigned to A Company, WTB, has found that sort of support and encouragement at the SFAC.

    "Everyone here is so helpful and nice," Lynch said. "But Ms. Nay, she is like a mom to me."

    Lynch said he had a pay problem that no one on the installation could figure out, but Handley called around and found the right person in Wisconsin who took care of the problem.

    "She has been checking in on me every day -- she encourages me," he said.

    Lynch said that the SFAC provides a comfort of sorts for Soldiers assigned to WTB where they can go to have a personnel issue addressed while also finding someone who will just stop and listen.

    Helping Soldiers at Fort Campbell WTB, many of whom have fought in the War on Terror, is a way for Handley to honor the memory of all those who were lost on 9/11 -- at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania. Fifteen years later, she says that the victims and their Families "will forever remain in my heart and soul" as will all of the Soldiers who have passed through the doors of Fort Campbell's SFAC.

    "No one is promised the next second. We must all continue to love, respect and honor one another, and treat one another how we would love to be treated," Handley said. "We are all different and that's what makes us all so wonderfully great."

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.15.2016
    Date Posted: 02.24.2017 16:48
    Story ID: 224829
    Location: FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US

    Web Views: 147
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN