I will always remember where I was on September 11, 2001. It was a busy day. I was on a SWAT call in the middle of a hostage rescue. Earlier that morning the team was all on its way to a remote site in order to do mountain training. Half our team was already on the mountain. The other half was still at ground level. The page went out that we had a hostage rescue requiring immediate response. We were briefed on the way to the scene. Once we arrived we began to set up the perimeter. Just before 9 a.m. the dispatcher came over the radio and said that one of the towers had been hit by a plane. A few minutes later she came and told us it was deliberate.
We actually ended the hostage event very quickly. I was talking with the guy, telling him to go look at his TV. I told him, “The nation’s being challenged. We are at war.” I told him we didn’t have time to deal with him right now, and that we didn’t have time to stay here while the nation was being attacked. I said that he needed to put that gun down or we would have to kill him. He was threatening to kill a child but what I said communicated the right thing. He came out and gave up the gun. We rescued the kid and returned to headquarters.
Once we were back, we set up a perimeter around the station. Then we started evaluating targets of opportunity. We looked at how to fortify everything. We called out to the airport to find out if planes were heading toward our area of responsibility.
I know exactly where I was on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, just before 9 a.m. It was just under two years before I became the U.S. Surgeon General.
Thank you, God that you never change. Your power, your presence, and your wisdom are limitless. You know the beginning from the end. Your purposes in our lives are clearly known to you. May we trust in your wisdom when we feel unsure.
Rich Carmona served as the 17th Surgeon General of the United States. He is also a decorated war veteran, having served with the Special Forces in Vietnam. Rich received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart among other military awards. Dr. Carmona has always been dedicated in efforts to serve his country and community. He has worn many hats to include, soldier, doctor, law enforcement officer, and SWAT team leader. He is both a soldier and the father of a soldier, as his son served in Iraq in 2005.
“Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” (1 Samuel 14:6b)