John Byrnes was swimming at Hunter College in Manhattan on the morning of September 11, 2001. Stepping outside for coffee, he heard sirens on Lexington Avenue. A plane had hit the World Trade Center. Minutes later, he saw the North Tower collapse on a campus television. Byrnes rushed to his National Guard armory, and spent two weeks securing Ground Zero. In the following years, he served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Five veterans shared their reflections with Fox News Digital ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Each recalls where they were when they learned of the attack. The event changed their lives and military service. Some were already in uniform while others enlisted in response.
Chris Hoff, who was a state Department of Corrections employee and studying to become a special education teacher, watched the towers fall from the New Jersey shoreline. On that day, he felt compelled to reenlist. Hoff returned to the reserves, deploying twice to Afghanistan. His second deployment ended due to multiple concussions.
After his military career, Hoff struggled with feelings of failure until he connected with the Wounded Warrior Project and began equine therapy. Now, he shares his story to encourage fellow veterans to seek help.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Rep. Troy Downing, R-Mont., was moose hunting in Alaska when he learned of the attacks. With no prior military service, he joined the Air National Guard and served in combat search and rescue. His view on the withdrawal from Afghanistan differs: it was a missed opportunity, but veterans served honorably.
Brandon Newberry, just 16 during the attacks, felt driven to help. Watching the news in his classroom, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2006. He experienced years in Afghanistan, observing social changes during the U.S. presence, and criticized the withdrawal’s execution.
Michael Matthews was serving in the Army when the attacks occurred. He deployed to Iraq in 2003, was injured by an IED, and faced months of recovery. While unable to pursue a career in the military, he now focuses on veterans’ support.
Veterans expressed pride in serving despite physical and emotional scars. They acknowledged the importance of mission focus and swift adaptation. Byrnes emphasized the need for leaders to recognize and change failing strategies.
These reflections resist simple judgments about the wars that followed 9/11. Despite frustration with extended and expanded operations, veterans take pride in their service and understand the importance of their sacrifice.
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