ECC student recalls 9/11

Elgin Community College student Chris Doss had a unique perspective of the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.

At time, Doss was a 24-year-old Petty Officer Second Class in the United States Navy on the U.S.S. George Washington based in Norfolk, Va.

The crew had just returned from a stint in the Mediterranean Sea when the planes hit the World Trade Centers and later that day headed for New York.

“We were just in awe of it,” Doss said this week from Elgin. “We wasted no time after finding out that day that we would be going to New York to see what kind of assistance we could give.”

At first, Doss said he and his shipmates thought they were watching a movie, but soon realized the footage they were seeing was from CNN.

“I was just shocked and angry. I didn’t know what to to think,” said Doss, who is studying to become a history teacher. “We hadn’t been attacked like that since Pearl Harbor.”

For two weeks, the crew of the U.S.S. George Washington sat aboard the ship off the coast of Long Island, waiting for instructions.

“We did our normal jobs ... and we were at the ready,” Doss said.

The ship was cut off from information about the attacks and no one was allowed on or off the base, Doss said.

“All we could do was stay on the ship and watch,” We watched the city burning, that’s what it looked like. It was just smoke.”

‘Conjunction Junction’: Huntley High School will present a fun and educational show that will have audience members singing while brushing up on their math and language skills. Students will perform #147;School House Rock,#148; which features memorable songs like #147;Conjunction Junction,#148; #147;I#146;m Just a Bill,#148; and #147;Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here.#148;The musical will be directed by Tom George, Nancy Cross and Heather Simek.Performances are set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10; Thursday, Sept. 15; Friday, Sept. 16; and Saturday, Sept. 17. Tickets are $5 for adults and students and may be purchased at the door beginning one hour before each performance.For details, call Tom George at (847) 659-6535. Huntley High School is at 13719 Harmony Road, Huntley.