On the 12th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, former White House Press Secretary @AriFleischer shared his memories on Twitter.
Fleischer took the Twitter community on a journey by recounting that day’s behind-the-scenes moments with the President. He sent the first Tweet at 8:45 a.m. ET to mirror the exact time the first tower was hit.
On this day especially, but on every day, may God bless America.
— Ari Fleischer ( @AriFleischer) September 11, 2013
He quoted President Bush:
Bush aboard Marine One: “The mightiest building in the world is on fire.That’s the 21st century war you just witnessed.”
— Ari Fleischer ( @AriFleischer) September 11, 2013
And shared the President’s original schedule for that day:
The cover of President Bush’s schedule. September 11, 2001. pic.twitter.com/TI5YrNF1Ul
— Ari Fleischer ( @AriFleischer) September 11, 2013
His handwritten notes detailed how the day actually went:
Here’s a copy of one page from my 9/11 notes. pic.twitter.com/juDmalWMod
— Ari Fleischer ( @AriFleischer) September 11, 2013
Fleischer hadn’t planned to live-tweet his 9/11 memories.
When he arrived in his office Wednesday morning and saw his 9/11 photos on the wall, he decided to explain what he was feeling publicly, on Twitter. “I got started and I just couldn’t stop,” he says. As a firsthand witness within feet of the President on one of the most tragic days in American history, for Fleischer, “You have a responsibility to share it. It is valuable to understand the history.”
Fleischer’s was not a one-way conversation, either. As the day went on, @AriFleischer replied to others, fostering a conversation around his memories.
@FoxForceFlacco “Authorized shoot down if necessary” of commercial airliners. Frightening to contemplate.
— Ari Fleischer ( @AriFleischer) September 11, 2013
Over the day, he tweeted 45 times to document what September 11, 2001 was like for him and for the President, closing with this:
Amazingly, at the door 2the PEOC, I saw a USSS agent with his long gun out and ready. That for me was 9/11. May God always bless America.
— Ari Fleischer ( @AriFleischer) September 11, 2013
On a day when many will #neverforget where they were, sharing personal stories and looking through the eyes of others, like @AriFleischer, was an important exercise in remembrance.
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