Voices 9-11 group

Voices from 9/11

By Denise Schiavone

On 9/11, while serving in the military or government, several MITRE employees experienced the attacks not through a TV screen but on the ground, amid the carnage. Five of them shared their stories—and a message of hope for emerging from collective trauma to make a collective impact.

On September 11, 2001, Susan Henson (retired U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr.), Mary Lowe Mayhugh (retired U.S. Army Col.), John Salazar (retired Assistant Director, Naval Criminal Investigative Service), Rob Walker (retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt.), and Debra Zides (retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col.) worked at the Pentagon in varying capacities. None of them knew each other. Years later, all found their way to MITRE.

In the immediate aftermath of that day, these five had little time to process their trauma. They kicked into a battle rhythm. Zides assisted family members awaiting news of loved ones. Mayhugh helped track casualties and plan the memorial service. Henson had to board a plane soon after to report to her next duty station. Salazar and Walker worked 12-hour shifts conducting recovery efforts.

"It’s the thing we were called to do," Walker explains.

Alongside their darkest memories, they recall small, but powerful, acts of kindness: a nearby hotel opening its doors to the walking wounded, protective Kevlar booties for the recovery dogs, a stranger handing over $.35 for a phone call, a brown paper lunch bag with a child’s drawing.

In the decades since, all of them continued serving the public good, including in their present careers at MITRE. Even as their journeys of healing continue, their sense of duty remains steadfast. We captured their stories in our three-part video series, "Voices from 9/11."

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