Barksdale Profile: Hundreds Change Careers Because of 9/11
By: Jenna Zibton
Updated: September 12, 2011
We all remember when we saw these horrible images and learned about the worst terrorist attack on American soil.
On September 11, 2001 Andy Wheeler was a senior in college and a swimmer.
"We had just gotten out of practice and I was going to the cafeteria to eat breakfast and just crowds of people around the TV. I went through the normal thought process, the anger, the disbelief and thinking 'What can I do about it?', and that's when I decided why not think about the military?" says Wheeler.
Before that day, he never thought about the possibility.
"I was planning on graduating with a triple major in business management, human resources managment and international studies and possibly getting some job working as a business executive somewhere."
But instead after graduation, he joined the military and is now a Captain.
"I think it was a good decision on my part. Joining the Air Force was one of the best things I've done."
He's not alone. Hundreds of people changed career paths after 9/11. Even those who were too young to fully understand.
Airman Christopher Shavers was in fourth grade.
"I don't remember much of it. I just remember the teacher running in, turning on the TV and just watching. I just saw a bunch of buildings and smoke. And then it took me a couple years to actually learn what it was. I need to serve, it's the right thing to do. Do my part" says Shavers. He's been in the Air Force for more than a year.
"I was in 5th grade in my classroom. It was a scary moment" says Airman First Class Skylar Madson. He remembers 9/11 clearly.
"As kids, we didn't really understand what had happened. But we all knew it was something bad because what other kid gets to go home from the school day and doesn't feel great about it."
Although he didn't understand then, it shaped his decision to join the Air Force.
"It gave me an opportunity to realize that we needed more men and women in the armed services. I do what I can do to help our country."
On September 11, 2001 Andy Wheeler was a senior in college and a swimmer.
"We had just gotten out of practice and I was going to the cafeteria to eat breakfast and just crowds of people around the TV. I went through the normal thought process, the anger, the disbelief and thinking 'What can I do about it?', and that's when I decided why not think about the military?" says Wheeler.
Before that day, he never thought about the possibility.
"I was planning on graduating with a triple major in business management, human resources managment and international studies and possibly getting some job working as a business executive somewhere."
But instead after graduation, he joined the military and is now a Captain.
"I think it was a good decision on my part. Joining the Air Force was one of the best things I've done."
He's not alone. Hundreds of people changed career paths after 9/11. Even those who were too young to fully understand.
Airman Christopher Shavers was in fourth grade.
"I don't remember much of it. I just remember the teacher running in, turning on the TV and just watching. I just saw a bunch of buildings and smoke. And then it took me a couple years to actually learn what it was. I need to serve, it's the right thing to do. Do my part" says Shavers. He's been in the Air Force for more than a year.
"I was in 5th grade in my classroom. It was a scary moment" says Airman First Class Skylar Madson. He remembers 9/11 clearly.
"As kids, we didn't really understand what had happened. But we all knew it was something bad because what other kid gets to go home from the school day and doesn't feel great about it."
Although he didn't understand then, it shaped his decision to join the Air Force.
"It gave me an opportunity to realize that we needed more men and women in the armed services. I do what I can do to help our country."
