How many times in a human being’s life that one gets to walk the hallways of the Pentagon. Yes, THE Pentagon. The one hit by an airplane on 9/11 hijacked by terrorists.
Tummy ache or no tummy ache, I would not miss this once in a lifetime chance to be able to take a peek into the octagon building.
My mission is to leave my mark inside this highly guarded compound. How? Pee. Pee in one of their toilets. Yes, that’s my game plan. Lame? How else can I leave my DNA?
Intentions clear, then let’s go and do it!
Our shuttle dropped us off in the parking lot, which is very far from the gate. We crossed a bridge, climbed steps, then walked a little far while it rained.
It took some time to clear through the security. Our names had been submitted a few weeks ago so it’s a little easier because we were already in their computers. Nevertheless, we still had to present our individual passports and another government issued ID and pass through security scanning before we were allowed access to the grounds.
After the security check, we crossed a bridge again.
Look to the left
look to the right
Walk straight
There it is
I am walking in the rain, feet hurting from this sandals, tummy aching from eating fatty foods.
Sorry folks, no more photos from this moment on. I didn’t want to land in jail so I had to keep my camera in my bag. No stolen shots. I will not dare mess up with the FBI and CIA.
We were able to go inside their huge, huge building. It’s like a city in itself. Considering that they have something like 34,000 employees, the hallways were so quiet.
The walls are decorated with lots of art and collage, done by men in uniform. There are photos of Mt. Pinatubo eruption, actual rescue and humanitarian operations done by the US military during a strong typhoon in the Philippines. I thought that’s very sweet of them.
I felt they have a heart. True.
We were led straight to a small room for briefing. Our phones and cameras were placed inside a vault as we entered the room.
We were privileged to have met the Hon David Shear, Assistant Secretary for East Asia Pacific, Brigadier General Loretta Reynolds, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Southeast Asia, and Brigadier General David Stilwell, Joint Staff J5 Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs- Asia, and Colonel Mitchel Cassell, Joint staff Division Chief for Central, South and Southeast Asia.
Gen. Reynolds looked more like a beauty queen rather than a military person. She’s very tall, regal and pretty.
They were very courteous and expressed their support for military, maritime, humanitarian and disaster relief. Philip Romualdez wasted no time in expressing his province’s appreciation for the US military’s tremendous help and response after Yolanda hit Leyte.
We were pressed with time, only four questions were entertained. I threw three questions and asked for favor for our military personnel.
I can’t tell you. Confidential.
We were given a short tour after the briefing.
Our tour guide was a very tall military personnel in charge of VIP guests. He walked backwards so he could face us all the time while he guided us through the long hallways. He would only occasionally face the front when opening a door. I asked if he’s not feeling dizzy. I guess he’s already used to walking backwards.
They have a fast food area, Mcdo, Starbucks, post office, chapel, etc.
They also have a memorial chapel in memory and in honor of the 129 personnel who died during the 9/11 attack plus about 59 more from the plane. It’s located at the exact location where the plane hit the building.
The hallways are so long. Yun bang kahit saan ka tumingin eh ang layu-layo, ang haba, ganun din sa kanan, sa kaliwa, sa likod, sa harap. Pwedeng mag karera ng skate board.
The Pentagon serves 600,000 cups of coffee each year.
They have parking for 8,870 cars, 19 escalators, 691 drinking fountains, 284 toilets and yes, I peed in one of them.
Mission accomplished.
