The D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) is fortunate to count so many people with personal connections to the community we serve.
Jill Chambers is a member of IVMF’s Board of Directors, and has a unique connection to the military community in that she worked as the Military Secretary for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Hugh Shelton. That role meant she was present at the Pentagon on Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building as part of the horrific attacks on that day twenty-five years ago. 184 lives were lost in the attack, counting those aboard the flight and within the Pentagon.
To observe the 25th anniversary, we asked Jill Chambers to share some thoughts on that day, and how it’s changed her life, and inspired her life’s work.
Thoughts From Jill Chambers
Wow, 25 years ago for some it would seem like an event in your memory that happened yesterday and other times it would seem like a lifetime ago.
For me, it’s somewhere in the middle. When prompted the vivid memories of that day in the Pentagon are back in a flash, but as time has passed dwelling on and reliving that day, and the days that followed no longer serve me in my growth to move forward in a healthy and purposeful life’s journey.
After recognizing that I’d faced the challenge of posttraumatic stress, I was grateful to connect with some very significant leaders in the field of mental health and wanted to not only understand and enhance my resilience, but also become certified in helping my fellow service members apply skills to enhance their resilience in the face of adversity.
After working with Dr. Daniel Amen, Army veteran and renowned psychologist specializing in the area of brain functioning, I had my own SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography) imaging done and he was able to clearly identify that in fact, I did exhibit posttraumatic stress challenges as a marker that showed in the scan.
Interestingly, enough that marker, however, was shown encapsulated which identified I had moved into what mental health professionals, identify as posttraumatic growth! How about that?
The skills I’ve learned through non-pharmaceutical approaches enhanced my life tremendously. When challenges appear, I respond with much more thoughtfulness and ease. I’m more careful about those I choose to surround myself with to keep the negativity and drama at bay. Additionally, the amazing friendships I have past and present are healthy, fun and enriching!
The events of 911 were horrific and tragic, and given all this time I feel grateful that I’ve been able to move forward in a positive way and enjoy my life’s journey without carrying a heavy load of the memories of that day.
The years that have followed from my experience of 911 created a pathway for me to educate myself on how to overcome my posttraumatic stress challenges through non-pharmaceutical means, earned three masters degrees in the areas of complementary and integrative health, and then use these skills to help those veterans who are ready to take charge of their own health. I have turned adversity into a gift to help others which resulted in an excellent and fulfilling mission.
More Stories of 9/11
The attacks on 9/11 changed the United States of America forever. Our response included launching wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and taking extreme measures across the country in efforts to prevent similar attacks in the future. You can read more retrospectives on the 9/11 attacks from the veterans and military spouses among IVMF staff.