Twenty-five years ago, the United States sustained the greatest loss of life since Pearl Harbor. In a coordinated attack, 2,996 died following plane strikes into both towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and rural Pennsylvania. It was a day that would be indelibly seared into the conscience of the nation.
On September 11, 2001, Michael Morrell – a CIA employee who would later become Acting CIA Director – was assigned to conduct the Presidential Daily Briefing. He was with President Bush that morning at an elementary school in Florida when word reached them that a plane had just hit one of the Twin Towers. Fifteen minutes later, a second plane hit and it was Mike Morrell job to brief the president that the country was now at war. He added his own evaluation. “I think it’s al-Qaeda and the master mind is Osama bin Laden.”
In conversations with David Taylor, Mike will take us through his experiences during a day that changed America forever.
SPEAKER BIO
Hailing from Nottinghamshire, England, David Taylor came to the United States in the 1970s as a high school student. He became the BBC Washington producer in 1981 and in 1992 began his career as a documentary producer. He has researched, written and produced well over 25 documentary films and received a Peabody and Emmy awards for his coverage of U.S. and military history. During his career, he has had the opportunity to get to spend time with a host of remarkable historic figures, and he takes great delight in sharing the stories surrounding the creation of the films.
GUEST BIO
Michael Morell is one of our nation’s leading national security professionals, with extensive experience in intelligence and foreign policy. He has been at the center of our nation’s fight against terrorism and its efforts to respond to trends that are altering the international landscape—including the rise of China, the return of a revanchist Russia, and instability in the Middle East.
During his 33-year career at CIA, Michael led the agency twice as Acting Director. He also served as Deputy Director, overseeing the Agency’s day-to-day operations and analysis. Michael’s additional senior assignments at CIA included serving for two years as the Director of Intelligence, the Agency’s top analyst, and for two years as Executive Director, the CIA’s top administrator.
He is now Senior Partner & Co-Founder at Aardwolf Global Solutions. Morell earned a bachelor of arts from the University of Akron and a master of arts from Georgetown University.
REGISTRATION
Registration is capped at 200 attendees. Only registered participants will be admitted to this event.
Members get first notice when registration opens! Become a member today to ensure you have a seat.
VENUE & PARKING
Douglass Community Center is located at 407 E. Market Street Leesburg, 20176. It is an ADA compliant building.
Ample free parking is available around the main building and in the back by the playground.