On September 11, 2001, the Steering Committee of the Urban Educator Corps was meeting in Washington DC, just two blocks from the White House, when the conversation was interrupted by the news that an aircraft had struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.  Because the initial news reports coming across the screen on the TV in the adjoining office had not yet conveyed the gravity of the situation, like most observers, the Committee assumed (or at least hoped) that it was an incident involving only a small plane and minor damage. 

Reality hit a few moments later, when we were informed that a second plane had struck the South Tower.  We were advised to vacate the building, a.s.a.p.  Shortly after our egress to New York Avenue, we heard a large boom and felt the shock through the sidewalk under our feet  By this time, there were thousands of people in the street.  No one knew what was happening as rumors began to fly.  The first, claiming that the Department of State had been hit by a car bomb (we later learned that it was the Pentagon). 

Suddenly, speculation about the possibility of additional attacks filled the air... would it be the White House?  Congress?  One could sense the fear, then near paralysis, as the instinct to move away from potential targets was confonted the reality of being in a city full of strategic and symbolic landmarks.  The city was in gridlock - no cars going anywhere.  Jim Kohlmoos (our host for the meeting) whose residence was in the DC area, headed home on foot.  The balance of the group coalesced around the idea of gathering in the hotel where three of our members still had rooms - fortunately, a few additional blocks from the White House.  Staying in a group as best we could and in near silence, we huddled our way to the hotel, and spent the balance of the day watching news reports while figuring out how to get out of the city and back to our homes.  For some, it took as long as four days.  

On each anniversary of 9/11, Jim has been sending an email to the group to commemorate the shared experience.  Each time, most members of the group have responded with reflections on the shared experience and updates on where life has taken them since that infamous day.  This year, one year short of a decade since 9/11, one of the responses sparked the idea of holding a 10-year reunion.  The rest, as they say, will be history.