Jacob MacDougall was attending college in New York when terrorists flew planes into the World Trade Center buildings.
He had joined the Army just a year earlier.
“It was a very surreal “this can’t be happening” moment,” said Jacob. “It was a horrible day. The phone lines were jammed in New York.”
His now-wife, Heather MacDougall, also in the Army, was in Washington D.C. when terrorists flew another plane into the Pentagon.
“Someone came running in declaring the Pentagon had been hit, which was right across the Potomac. So, I raced over. I could just see this black cloud above the building. It had engulfed the building. It was larger than the Pentagon.”
They both agree it was a turning point for our nation.
While terrible, they also saw the patriotism that started to shine on 9/12.
Flags hung from every porch.
Chants of “USA” broke out at sporting events.
Now 20 years later, they are making a new memory they will never forget.
The MacDougall’s two children attend Johnson High School.
Their son Jonah is in the JROTC there.
Following the 9/11 memorial ceremony, Jonah got the chance of a lifetime—promoting his stepfather to Lieutenant Colonel.
“I wanted an opportunity for my stepson Jonah to promote me because he has started this JROTC path and he really likes it, and it’s really starting to shape him,” said Jacob. “The promotion is kind of a big deal. It’s usually performed by a general or a mentor in your life. So I thought it would have a good impact on him to actually be the one to promote me. It gives us a good memory to share.”
So, surrounded by Jonah’s peers and American flags, Jonah, dressed in his JROTC uniform, pinned his stepfather and officially promoted him -- offering this family a new lifelong memory on the anniversary of 9/11.
“Johnson High School is an absolutely wonderful place to be for so many reasons, but I am so proud that they have such a strong JROTC program here,” said Heather. “I know that our son Jonah has thrived in this environment. We’ve seen him grow and develop in ways that continue to surprise us. Today was special.”
If you want to learn more about JROTC at NEISD, click here.
