DALLAS — Eric Draper, then chief White House photographer for President George W. Bush, documented some of the defining moments of Sept. 11, 2001, as he followed the president through a day that began with a school visit in Florida and ended with Bush viewing the damage from the air.
Draper started the morning at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida, where Bush attended a classroom event. When the first reports came that a plane had struck the World Trade Center, officials initially believed the crash was an accident.
Draper then watched Bush’s expression change as Chief of Staff Andy Card approached and whispered the news that the country was under attack.
“I followed the president into the adjacent classroom after the event ended. That’s when I knew what was happening,” Draper said. “And for me, I was just in shock.”
A television showed live images of the burning World Trade Center towers. Draper photographed Bush watching the coverage and taking notes as advisers gave him information.
The president soon left for Air Force One as the motorcade rushed toward the aircraft.
“Andy Card was standing at the top of the stairs and he was telling everyone to take their batteries out of their cell phones because we didn’t want to be traced,” Draper said. “I remember a very steep takeoff.”
The plane circled the Gulf before landing at military bases in Louisiana and Nebraska as officials determined when it was safe for Bush to return to Washington.
“There was no game plan for this,” Draper said.
Draper later called his wife after officials allowed him to make a phone call.
“My first words to her were, ‘Honey, I’ll be a little late tonight.’ And I could hear her laughing through the tears,” Draper said.
Draper also photographed fighter jets flying alongside Air Force One and recalled seeing one pilot salute the president.
When the aircraft returned toward Washington, Draper photographed Bush looking out the window at the Pentagon, which was still burning after the attack.
Days later, Draper accompanied Bush to Ground Zero in New York. Bush stood atop the rubble of the World Trade Center with rescue workers and delivered an impromptu speech.
“The rest of the world hears you,” Bush told the crowd.
Draper said someone handed Bush a bullhorn at the last moment, leading to the speech that became one of the most recognizable moments of Bush’s presidency.
“It just really happened organically. Someone at the last second handed him a bullhorn and that’s when he said the famous line,” Draper said.
Bush continued, “The people who knocked down these buildings will hear all of us soon.”
Draper said he recognized the significance of the moment as he photographed it.
“I got chills at that moment. I knew that was a famous historic moment just from being there,” Draper said. “And I was front and center for that moment.”
Twenty-five years later, Draper’s photographs continue to document Bush’s experience during the Sept. 11 attacks.
“All I did was do my job and history will take care of the rest,” Draper said.