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American Morning
Christmas Takes on New Meaning for Survivors
Aired December 25, 2001 - 08:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: For the survivors of September 11th. this Christmas is taking on a new meaning. It is a time of rebirth, a new beginning. Our Jonathan Aiken now has a story of one Pentagon worker who is promising to come back better than ever.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JONATHAN AIKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There's a simple Christmas tree in the home of Lieutenant Colonel Brian and Mel Birdwell.
LT. COL. BRIAN BIRDWELL, SURVIVOR OF TERRORIST ATTACK: Even though it's the same tree that we've had for several years, it just looks prettier this Christmas.
AIKEN: Christmas at the Birdwell's isn't about fancy. It's about thanks. The only reason there is even a Christmas at the Birdwell home is because he had to leave his Pentagon office on the morning of September 11.
LT. COL. BRIAN BIRDWELL, PENTAGON SURVIVOR: My morning Coke had kicked in, and I had to go to the men's room right after we watched the plane go into -- the second plane hit the tower.
AIKEN: He never made it back.
B. BIRDWELL: I was returning. I had only had taken three, four steps out of the rest room, and then the explosion and the concussion had occurred.
AIKEN: American Airlines Flight 77 had just crashed into the Pentagon. He was 40 yards away.
B. BIRDWELL: I heard the sound, then the concussion knocked me down, and that's when the fireball comes through. I do not recall seeing fire coming at me, whether I was laying on my back or otherwise. I remember -- I am trying to get to my feet to get up, and I'm on fire.
AIKEN: As the first alarms were sounded, Colonel Birdwell fought to stand up and get back to his office.
B. BIRDWELL: As I struggled -- I mean, I didn't wait to call out to my Lord and Savior, I, you know, I because I knew I was in bad shape. And without, you know, God's help, I was not going to get out of here. But I, you know, cried "Jesus, I am coming to see you."
Mel Birdwell was home-schooling their 12-year-old son Matthew when a friend called her and told her a plane had hit the Pentagon.
MEL BIRDWELL, WIFE OF PENTAGON SURVIVOR: So I knew that if he were in his office, that he was standing at the Throne of God, because there is just no way he could have survived it. Because where the plane hit was three windows from his window, from where his desk was.
AIKEN: While plumes of smoke rose from the Pentagon, Brian Birdwell collapsed under a corridor sprinkler, which doused the flames that had burned almost half of his body. After months of therapy, Lieutenant Colonel Birdwell wears compression gloves that reduce the scarring, protect his hands, and make it hard to use a fork.
B. BIRDWELL: My mom used to teach, you know, how you hold your fork between your middle and forefinger to, you know, to eat properly. Well, now I have to stab it, you know, like some untrained or ill- mannered person, and so it looks like I don't have any manners, but I got to do it to eat, so.
AIKEN: Out of the hospital and home for Christmas, the Birdwells begin to rebuild their lives.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
B. BIRDWELL: Hey, Kurt. How are you doing buddy?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AIKEN: A chance to see old friends at a Christmas party. Receive the purple heart that was pinned to his hospital pillow, and join his coworkers once as they honor those who died by carrying the Olympic torch from the Pentagon.
Despite the physical pain and the searing memories of 9-1-1 --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
B. BIRDWELL: Gosh that hurt.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AIKEN: Brian Birdwell's gift this Christmas comes from within. Faith, determination and hope.
B. BIRDWELL: It'll be a time of joy. Hey, I just spent the last thirteen weeks in the hospital. Folks, I'm back.
AIKEN: Back with his family, and the light of a simple Christmas tree that never looked better. Jonathan Aiken for CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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