Against that Blue Sky: I Was at the Capitol on 9/11
Channel: Tex Done This
Date: 18/08/2006

For about 45 seconds on 9/11, I was the only person at the U.S. Capitol — as Flight 93 was inbound for Washington.

The first thing I saw when I woke up on 9/11 was the alabaster white Capitol dome against the blue sky. The dome, four blocks away, filled my bedroom window.

I was going straight to a news conference in the Rayburn House Office Building, meeting my videographer there.

I stepped out of the shower to see the first tower burning on Good Morning America. I watched the second plane hit.

As I walked toward the Longworth Building, I heard a jet over head — I assumed on approach to National Airport. I thought how I'd never ignore that sound ever again.

I heard the engine trail off as I stepped inside Longworth and disappeared into the tunnels underneath the Capitol Complex. 

Before the day was over, I would be one of the last — if not the last — journalist evacuated from the Capitol. And by evacuated, I mean led away by a Capitol Police officer. In between I'd nearly be run over in the hall by the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and watch a Captain crying on a cell phone call as he watched the smoke rise from the Pentagon across the Potomac.

And the next time I heard a jet, as people ducked for cover, I breathed a sigh of relief as it banked low near the Capitol, flashing a bright, white star and cut the distinct silhouette of an F-16 against that blue sky.

I took notes that day. And five years later, I sat down and taped this oral history from my notes and the timelines of the 9/11 investigations for the video podcast I did at the time — Watching Washington. This is my 9/11 story.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Waking up on 9/11
00:15 Leaving for the Capitol 
02:20 Beneath the Capitol & Flight 77
02:54 Looking for a working phone
03:31 The sonic boom
03:59 Getting onto the Capitol grounds
04:53 The only person at the Capitol

ABOUT MY CHANNEL
Tex Done That is about what Tex done. It’s my look at the world around us. Discovering new places, remembering the history I’ve seen up close, and having fun.
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Sideyards — A Capitol Riverfront Steampunk Circus Sideshow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlFJKSoRaMc
Key West Fantasy Fest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4IGNzb_qd0 
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Bok Tower Gardens — Best. Dog. Park. Ever.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z85kiRm4QUY
Landing on an Alaska Lake — Misty Fjords Floatplane Adventure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdrB2EAw9Fc
Hiking with Dogs — Abandoned Florida Country Club at Tucker Ranch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dryyQu4pFw
Goodbye, Good Dog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHIELp6ld64 

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