09/12/2026
We were honored to hear from Mission Hills High School teacher Elliott Powell, CAPT, USN (Retired), Senior Naval Science Instructor, World History Teacher, and his wife, Mrs. Powell, as they shared their personal experiences of September 11, 2001.
Mr. Powell was in London briefing the U.S. Ambassador on joint U.S. Navy and NATO activities in the area. His wife, Mrs. Powell, was preparing to attend a meeting near the Pentagon when their oldest daughter called and told her about the planes hitting the Twin Towers.
Because Captain Powell had left for England the night before and had not yet told his family he had arrived safely, Mrs. Powell immediately called the airline to make sure he had landed. Moments later, she felt what seemed like an earthquake and heard people shouting that a bomb had exploded at the Pentagon. Tragically, the meeting she was preparing to attend was in the area where the plane struck, and those attending did not survive.
Their story was a powerful reminder that 9/11 was experienced not only through the images we saw on television, but through the lives of countless families who suddenly found themselves facing unimaginable uncertainty and loss.
We are grateful to Captain and Mrs. Powell for sharing their experiences and helping us remember September 11 with honesty, perspective, and respect. 🇺🇸
