Column 1

Tara Purdie
JMC 425
Column 1: Spring Break
March 26, 2009
I never thought I would meet someone who was personally involved in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. I imagined, if I ever did meet this person, I would know right away. I figured they must be cynical, sarcastic and most likely less tolerant of any culture that “threatens” the unity and patriotism of the United States of America. I never expected this person could be my roommate.

My roommate, Isaac Bachmann, a happy-go-lucky, mellow kind-of-guy, was 21 years old when Al Qaida terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and Pentagon. After nine weeks in basic training for the Navy and one-and-a-half years at nuclear power school, Bachmann was sent to Sub Base New London in Groton, Conn. on Aug. 3, 2001. As a nuclear-trained electrician, Bachmann’s orders were to fly to Italy on Sept. 19 to meet the USS Providence on the Mediterranean and join them on their trip back to Sub Base New London.

But, early Sept. orders changed. Security levels were raised to THREATCON (threat conditions) from Alpha to Bravo and all submarines were commanded to return to the submarine base. The new seamen waiting for the return of their submarines completed odd jobs around base but were given a new mission—filling 40lb sandbags and building 5 ft tall bunkers on all 32 piers until they were given other orders.

Bachmann felt like part of a chain-gang completing a dauntingly back-breaking task for an unapparent reason. He worked in the heat of the day and the howl of the storm. The rain instantly added 20 lbs of weight to the sandbags. For a week, Bachmann alongside other seamen filled thousands of bags until Sept. 9 when they had constructed a bunker on every pier. These bunkers were built to protect the men standing charge with 50-caliber machine guns. Upon completion of the job, although security levels were still heightened, Bachmann was ordered to complete his daily chores. Orders changed once again on Sept. 11.

Bachmann had just completed his morning chores and was waiting in the holding unit for more orders when the Petty Officers in Charge came in and announced the attack. Bachmann, who was one of several men, was told to return to his barracks and get rest so he could come stand guard for the night shift. Although he had been packing thousands of 40 and 60lb sandbags for a week, Bachmann had the same reaction as almost every other American. He was filled with disbelief when he first saw the airplanes crash into the towers, but he also realized the importance of the work he had been doing the past week.

For the next month, Bachmann stood watch in the Sub Base New London verifying identification and reporting suspicious behavior for 12 hours a day, every day, until the previously increased security levels began to fall.
Bachmann finished his 6 year enlistment on Oct. 20, 2005 with new ambitions. He enrolled in school and is currently working on his Bachelors of Science. No one would ever guess that he was involved in protecting the country on the day of the attacks because he is optimistic and surprisingly trusting of others. Some people affected by the terrorist attacks on that tragic day find it hard to forgive, but Bachmann is kind-hearted and willing to help those in need. I wouldn’t have pegged my roommate for someone that was involved in Sept. 11 because I didn’t give the person I imagined enough credit.