George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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 assigned to the chiefs mess, the day began like most others. Awake by 5:30 a.m. and in the Chief's Mess by 6 a.m.. the morning was buzzing along for the 23-year-old when he heard some disheartening news shortly before 9 a.m. “After hearing the 767 crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center. I was stunned but only thought it w'as an accident.” the New' York native said. “But when I watched the second plane crash into the other tower, I knew' it was a terrorist attack.” While the event had the attention of everyone in the mess, Chuman was especially interested in w'hat was unfolding before his eyes. His father Ricky, a plastics maker, operated his business from a shop only tw'o blocks away from the smoldering giants. After watching the second plane collide with the tower, Chuman experienced waves of Just the thought of losing my dad was devastating, Chuman said. “He’s not just my father, he’s my best friend. He told me a w hile back that there was going to be a time when he wouldn’t be here and that I'd have to keep going, but I wasn't ready to deal with him leaving us on that day.” Luckily, Chuman didn't have to wait long. After a restless night’s sleep, he got word his father was safe the next morning. “My father spent the night in an automobile because he couldn’t get out of the area. He said it was like Christmas in New York with all the ash and dust on the ground.” Above and Mow: Aircraft from USSJohn F. Kennedy (CV 67) aiming came aboard to provide air defense Jor , «w lorn.

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