T O P : W H I T E H O U S E C O L L E C T I O N / B O T T O M : P H O T O B Y T I N A H A G E R F O R T H E G E O R G E W. B U S H L I B R A R Y /
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While at work in an isolated area of the South Grounds on 9/11, Engineer Matt McCloskey learned of the emergency well after the evacuation order. He did eventually evacuate but was soon called back to work where he remained for another twentyfour hours. He later explained, “It was always drilled into us that we were essential and if anything like this ever happened. . . . we would be one of the ones that would have to stay. So I was kind of prepared for it.”
later asked by Gary Walters to return. Secret Service officers escorted them back to the White House. At the Executive Residence, essential staff are expected to provide support to the first family during inclement weather and emergencies, and September 11 was no different. One shop that is required to work twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, is the Engineer Shop. After McCloskey returned to the White House, he stayed for the next twenty-four hours. In the afternoon he set up the Oval Office for President Bush’s address to the nation that evening. “I knew as an engineer nothing like this has ever happened,” he said, “but it was always drilled into us that we were essential and if anything like this ever happened or an emergency ever happened, that we would be one of the ones that would have to stay. So I was kind of prepared for it.” Others, including Dennis Freemyer, Bill Cliber, Dink Chapman, Dale Haney, and Bob Gallahan, and Buddy Carter, did not evacuate but sheltered in a White House corridor.
white house history quarterly
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