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9/11: An Etched Memory Of Tragedy And Awe

Captain Jane F. Vieira, Command Chaplain at the Naval Submarine School in Groton, Shares her Experience in the Aftermath

On September 11, 2001, Navy Capt. Jane F. Vieira was attending a meeting with Vice Admiral Mike Cowan, Navy Surgeon General, when news of the terrorist attacks in New York reached the group and the meeting was immediately cancelled.

Located a mile away from the Pentagon, Vieira and her staff heard the explosions shortly after. Black smoke, sirens and two more explosions filled the air while government buildings were quickly evacuated and streets secured.

Vieira has been in the navy for 32 years and is currently the Command Chaplain at the Naval Submarine School in Groton. She lives in Westbrook.

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Chaplains, both active and reserve in the D.C. area were requested by the Navy Chief of Chaplains Office to provide outreach to families and to offer ministry and assistance to firefighters and rescue teams.

“I was designated as one of six chaplains to stand the night shift at the Pentagon disaster site,” said Vieira.

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For several days, Vieira worked shoulder to shoulder with chaplains of other faiths to whom the Pentagon had become a united ministry.  They blessed recovered bodies with dignity and offered help in any small way, even if just passing a tissue to wipe a rescue team member’s soiled mask.

“In action, I saw tremendous heroism on part of the firefighters and rescue workers who worked diligently to save people.  Firefighters ran into the burning buildings without considering the color, race and creed of the people they saved.  It was awe inspiring.”  recalls Captain Vieira

“It was a profound time for me, it was very tragic but in terms of doing what we could to help and to heal and to support the families - it was a memory etched into my mind that I will never forget.”

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