United in Purpose: Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho’s 9/11 Reflection of Strength and Resilience
For Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho, the morning of September 11, 2001, began with the serenity of a clear blue sky. But as the tragic events of that day unfolded, she found herself at the heart of the Pentagon while working in the office of the assistant secretary of the Army for manpower and reserve affairs, just 150 yards from the impact site of the terrorist attack. What followed was a series of harrowing experiences—an assault on the very fabric of the nation—but also moments of profound unity and unwavering courage. Horoho’s reflections on that day have shaped her leadership, her commitment to honoring the sacrifices of those who ran toward danger to save others and her career as a former U.S. Army Surgeon General.
What She Experienced on 9/11: Chaos, Courage, and Calm
When the plane struck the Pentagon, the world around LTG Horoho seemed to freeze in time. From her office, just a short distance from the crash site, the entire building shook with the force of the impact. “Everything seemed to move in slow motion,” she recalls. Yet, in the midst of the chaos, there was an unexpected sense of calmness that overtook her, a feeling that defied the devastation unfolding before her eyes.
As a trauma nurse, Horoho’s instinct was to help. She immediately rushed to the site of the crash, where she and Master Sergeant Noel Sepulveda first witnessed the horrific aftermath of the attack. Her fellow colleagues’ response was to pitch in and help where they could, so she and MSG Sepulveda organized those with medical training into teams and the teams began assessing burns, starting IVs and readying the most gravely injured for air evacuation.
As she worked to help triage the injured, the true spirit of unity emerged. “I witnessed the very best of humanity that day,” she says. People from all backgrounds, military and civilian alike, came together without hesitation. Rank, background, or even personal fear were set aside as individuals worked to care for the wounded, many of whom were complete strangers.
Despite the trauma, the grief, and the destruction, Horoho saw something extraordinary—a shared purpose that transcended everything else. “I remember thinking, ‘They are underestimating the strength of America because we are a people united,'” Horoho reflects.
The Unforgettable Image: The American Flag at Dawn
As the dust began to settle and the rescue efforts continued, one image stayed with Horoho—the sight of a large American flag unfurled over the side of the Pentagon the following morning. Against the backdrop of a clear sky, it became a symbol of defiance and unity in the face of unparalleled loss. “That flag, waving victoriously the morning after so much destruction, gave me a deeper understanding of what it means to be united,” Horoho says.
It was in that moment, witnessing the flag of the United States proudly displayed over the site of such horror, that Horoho knew, with certainty, what it also meant to be an American. The strength, pride, and resilience embodied in that moment are memories she carries with her to this day.
A Legacy of Service: Honoring the Sacrifices and Healing the Wounds
The memories of 9/11 have stayed with Horoho throughout her career, shaping her leadership and her commitment to the people who serve and protect this country. As the former CEO of OptumServe, which supports healthcare services for survivors and first responders of 9/11, she understands the importance of honoring those who gave everything on that fateful day.
“It’s our duty to care for them,” Horoho says. “It is OptumServe’s great privilege to tend to their health needs now, just as they did for so many others two decades ago.” Through her work, Horoho continued the legacy of service that began on 9/11—ensuring that those who answered the call are never forgotten.
Never Forget: Choosing Joy and Gratitude Every Day
For Horoho, the lessons of 9/11 extend beyond service and sacrifice. They also center on gratitude, compassion, and connection. As she reflects on the events of that day, she finds encouragement in her experience.
“May we never forget to live each day to the fullest, by choosing joy and appreciating the small things, by making human connections and filling your heart with gratitude,” Horoho says. “There is hope, beauty, and compassion in the world—and that is something I hope people will never forget”
Her reflections are a call to action: to honor the sacrifices of those who served on 9/11 by living lives filled with kindness, gratitude, and unity.
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