WASHINGTON DC, September 11, 2002 — When American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon last September 11, God was there, revealing His love and presence in the prayers and actions of His people. That's the opinion of a man who could most accurately be called an authority on the subject. Lutheran Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Eric Wester serves in the Army's Office of the Chief of Chaplains. Within minutes of the crash, he was on site at the Pentagon, ministering to victims and survivors. But even before the terrorist incident occurred, and in the moments leading up to it, Wester was praying for his nation.
"September 11, 2001 was a clear and beautiful day here in Washington, D.C.," he said in a recent telephone interview. "I was in my office at work at the time we got the first reports of a plane hitting one of the World Trade Towers. Within a few moments, another officer came into my building and said, 'Chaplain, this is serious - I'd like to spend a few minutes in prayer.' We sat down and within about 2 - 3 minutes of beginning our prayers, the building in which I'm serving was evacuated.
(We) 'looked toward the Pentagon and saw a gigantic black plume'
Photo: US Army
Lutheran Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Eric Wester was on site within minutes when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2002.
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"I'm in an office complex about a block or two from the Pentagon. As soon as we stepped out the door, we could smell the smoke, and looked toward the Pentagon and saw a gigantic black plume. I along with five or six other chaplains who work in the same complex ran straight towards the smoke and the fire in hopes of being able to provide some ministry, and to help with any survivors," he said.
Arriving at the Pentagon, Wester and his colleagues quickly realized there was little they could do other than watch, pray, and administer spiritual support: "As we ran from our office to the impact area on the outside wall of the Pentagon, we could immediately see the flames, the smoke, a few small fragments of the plane, and the first survivors who were making their way out of the building. The flames were so intense that even as we approached, (and even for) firefighters with their protective gear, from the outside wall, it was just impossible to even approach the building because of the intensity of the heat from the aviation fuel burning.
"So if someone did not make it out in those first few moments, or was not assisted to get out in those first few seconds, from the side of the building where we stood, there was no way to get in to rescue people," he said.
A memory he'd like to erase - the feeling of utter helplessness
True to the military man that he is, Wester is matter of fact in his tone as he recounts his memories of the horrific event. But he also reveals another man that constitutes his makeup; the spiritual man. And it is that man who has had to come to terms with nightmarish feelings of helplessness and futility at not being able to do more.
He remembers the emotions of the moment: "It was an adrenaline filled effort to try to get to the people that we may be able to rescue ... it was a combination of the dread of knowing the devastation of fire; the sense of urgency that we should move to see if we could (affect) any rescues. And when we got to the building, there was a sense of resignation that if someone was in those flames, they were already in God's hands because there was no way we could recover them."
U.S. Army photo by SSG John Valceanu 214th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment U.S. Army Reserve Fort Belvoir, VA
The hijacked airliner that slammed into the Pentagon Sept. 11, 2001 caused massive damage to the building and killed almost 200 people.
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Wester haltingly admits that's a memory he'd like to erase; "The feeling of utter helplessness ... knowing that fellow soldiers and others who were devoted to serving their nation were dying in the building ... I mean that feeling of helplessness is ... such a kind of ... an empty place. I guess I just never felt that ... helpless ... to provide assistance."
'The plane flew over his car and into the building'
In spite of the overwhelming emotions of the moment, the Chaplain and his colleagues immediately sprang into action. He remembers: "There was a Catholic priest who was a civilian in a nearby community. He was actually driving by the Pentagon, and the plane flew over his car, into the building. He stopped to offer assistance. Once I saw him, I tried to help him link up with some of the Catholic victims - the wounded especially - people with whom he could offer prayers. So he and I actually acted as a Protestant and Catholic team for the first half-hour, as the few people that did get out were brought into the safety area. There was spiritual assistance available and prayerful support from the moment this had begun.
"The victims that came out - the ones that were physically wounded - were so badly wounded that they were evacuated very quickly by ambulance and helicopter. Our larger ministries were to the thousands of military personnel and civilians who were dealing with the psychological impact and trauma of the attack. So there was a lot of ministry effort there in terms of encouragement. Those first few hours, part of it was setting up a place for ministry, and we did that right directly in front of the impact area, because we had soldiers and rescue workers that were going in there day after day, not only to extinguish the flames, but to recover every remain," Wester said.
It was gruesome, heart-rending work
U.S. Army photo by SSG John Valceanu 214th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment U.S. Army Reserve Fort Belvoir, VA
Massive recovery efforts were carried out after the September 11th attack, by a variety of governmental agencies that included the 3rd U.S. Army Infantry (the Old Guard) from Fort Myer, Va., the Military District of Washington Engineer Company, based on Fort Belvoir, Va., and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, also based on Fort Belvoir.
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Chaplains went with those recovery teams, encouraging the workers, offering prayers, and administering last rites as human remains were discovered. It was gruesome, heart-rending work. All 59 people aboard flight 77 were killed. (Officials don't count the five hijackers.) Another 125 Pentagon military and civilian employees lost their lives. Sixty-three more were injured or wounded in the attack. Total loss of life: 184 innocent souls. There is no way to tally the number of damaged psyches.
But Chaplain Wester says that even in the earliest hours of such trauma, it was evident that God was already at work, and had been at work long before, in peoples' hearts and lives.
'I sensed God's presence directly in the prayers that were a part of almost every dimension of this experience'
"In spite of the nature of these attacks, what I have marvelled at is the way in which people really and truly want to rise above terror. What I mean by that is - the first night of the attack, I was in the Army Operations Centre, and as action packed as that place was, there was a moment when we did pause for prayer. And the motivation of the military personnel was not one of revenge, but one of defending the country and protecting other lives. It really struck me that people only get to a place of that ability to transcend retribution and hate through faith and values. I sensed God's presence directly in the prayers that were a part of almost every dimension of this experience, and the fact that people could realize that we could not allow hate to destroy what we represent," Wester reflected.
As the days after September 11 turned into weeks, Wester says God continued to reveal His presence in the midst of the suffering, and in the direct care for the family members of those who were killed and wounded. He explained, "There is a quiet unseen ministry that occurs when chaplains representing the presence of the Lord go to a family's house, join with the family in prayer and bring comfort and consolation through the Scriptures; the Word of the Lord. It's the day- to-day ministry that's extended through the Chaplaincy by those churches and denominations that send Chaplains out, that made that ministry possible. That face to face encounter between those who were grieving or recovering from their wounds and our clergy in uniform, was a shared experience through prayer and Scripture of the Lord's presence."
Out of the depths of enormous tragedy, beauty can be born
It is a comment on the resiliency of the human spirit, that out of the depths of enormous tragedy, lessons can be learned and beauty can be born. To continue the healing work they began last September 11, and as a way of trying to foster their own healing, the Army Chaplaincy conceived of a memorial that would, quite literally, shine a light on the darkness.
"United in Memory" Stained Glass Window by Dennis Roberts, IHS Studios
Iconography by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Eric Wester
The pentagon-shaped window, featuring the head of an American Bald Eagle in front of an unfurled U.S. flag, evokes the courage and patriotism associated with the defense of our Nation. The eagle is in a vigilant pose, symbolizing the past and present generations of those who protect our country. The flag is displayed upon alternating rays of dark aqua and bright gold depicting the trials and triumphs of our history. The Pentagon building represents the undefeated bulwark at the heart of our defenses. The olive branch reveals the national character: always desirous of peace while ever prepared to defend freedom. The two crimson rings total 184 pieces, recalling the loss of military and civilian life killed in the attack against the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
The pentagonal shape of the window links together the five military branches that guard the Nation. The inscription United in Memory, in glowing amber, remind all that the Nation is one in recognizing the sacrifices of those who died in service to the Republic. The date of September 11th, 2001, declares that our national resolve is unwavering both in memory and in commitment to the victory over the forces of evil.
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Wester describes the memorial: "As a symbolic expression of our own respect for those who were killed, and as a way of trying to foster our own healing, we in the Army Chaplaincy created a very large stained glass window, under the theme 'United In Memory'. And in the window, we've placed 184 pieces of crimson glass to represent each of the victims of the attack here at the Pentagon on September 11."
More than 400 Chaplains and Chaplain Assistants worked to assemble the window; each adding pieces of broken glass to create the stunning, five-foot pentagon-shaped piece of art. The window has been installed in a new chapel at the site of the attack on the outside wall of the Pentagon's Corridor 4. This is the first permanent chapel facility the Pentagon has ever held. It is, says Chaplain Wester, a room dedicated in memory of the victims of the attacks - and a room dedicated to be used as a place for meditation and prayer.
It is a fitting tribute. The window also features an olive branch, which represents the national character of the United States: always desirous of peace, while ever prepared to defend freedom
'God's love is in His willingness to entrust freedom to us'
Over the past year, Wester has been called on to discuss his beliefs about freedom and defend his faith, with those who've wanted to know how a loving God could allow the tragedies of September 11 to occur. It is clear he's given the matter much thought, when he responds, "I don't see God causing or intending this kind of suffering and death. In fact, I believe He has a broken heart over this kind of evil. The God I see revealed in Scriptures is a God who calls on human response. His commitment is to providing us (with the opportunity) to freely respond to His love. He's also given us the freedom to choose - good and evil. To me, God's love is in His willingness to entrust freedom to us, and our response is living up to that."
'This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it'
Chaplin Lieutenant Colonel Eric Wester is a well-educated man. He earned a degree in Psychology at the University of Toledo, and a Master of Theology degree in Pastoral Counselling from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary. He is also highly decorated. His biography lists the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal among others. And yet, there is simplicity in his words and humility in his voice, as he sums up his reflections on the tragedy of September 11: "In light of September 11, I am most grateful for the saving grace of God which opens up a new day. My gratitude almost stands in spite of the events of that day."
Chaplain Wester concludes by citing one of his favourite Bible verses; Psalm 118:24, as one that he leans on often. It says, "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." It is a verse that reflects a philosophy of God's goodness and grace. It is also a good reminder that ultimately, no matter how many planes fall from the sky, He is still in control, and will make His presence known and felt through the lives of His people. And that is not only something to be glad for, it is also something we can all take comfort in.
Source: Patricia L. Paddey, Bible Network News
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