Courtland man safe after Pentagon attack; Citizens' reactions vary

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A Courtland native working in the Pentagon survived the blast that resulted from an airplane that crashed near the heliport next to the Pentagon Tuesday morning.

Army Lt. Col. Dennis Fiemeyer, 40, son of Marge and Duane Fiemeyer of Courtland, was working in the Pentagon when the airliner crashed near the five-sided building that houses more than 20,000 civilians and military men and women.

The crash caused a huge explosion and large fire that was a good distance away from where Fiemeyer was in the Pentagon.

"He felt the building shake, got out unharmed, cell phoned his wife in nearby Virginia and headed home," his sister, Journal advertising employee Cindy Hoffmann said.

Crisis situations are nothing new for Fiemeyer. He was stationed in Panama when the U.S. military invaded that country during Operation Just Cause about a decade ago.

Local reactions varied to the Tuesday's terroristic World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks that took many innocent lives.

Most citizens voiced a surprised but tempered, saddened view of the situation. There were exceptions.

"It's kinda sad. You wouldn't expect it to happen. I'm still stunned by it," said Marvin Roiger of Sleepy Eye.

Sisters Judy and Shirley Thompson of Golden Valley took a bus tour to New Ulm Tuesday and admitted they hadn't heard much about the explosions in Washington, D.C. and New York City.

"I hope they really figure out who really did it before they retaliate," Shirley Thompson said.

"It's a sad, sad situation," Judy Thompson said. "It should tell us what to watch for in the future."

Gordon Solly, of Crystal, also on the bus tour to New Ulm, was shocked.

"I can't believe it. It shouldn't happen. What a nightmare," Solly said.

Jean Lohman of New Ulm struggled to find words to describe her reaction at first.

"It leaves you speechless," Lohman said. "It makes me sad. It's unbelievable that it can happen.

Dana Carrington of Minneapolis wanted justice for those responsible for the tragic events.

"You hope they find who is responsible and make them pay," Carrington said.

Fudge and Stuff owner Dennis Doran went straight to the point, his point anyway.

"I hope they find out who did it so we can go in and kick ass," Doran said.

Eric Dulka of New Ulm Travel said dozens of customers are stranded in Orlando, Fla. and other cities around the country.

In several cases, customers rented cars and drove back to Minnesota due to the nationwide aviation shutdown. Several other customers were to leave on trips to Europe late Tuesday but had to change plans.

The Minnesota National Guard Battalion Headquarters at the New Ulm Armory were not recalled to active duty as of Tuesday afternoon.

The need for blood donations was expressed throughout the national media. The bloodmobile visits the Lake Crystal Recreation Center today (Wednesday). Donors can call the Brown West-Nicollet American Red Cross at 233-1111 or call 1-888-BLOOD-88 or 1-800-GIVE LIFE.

The Minnesota hotline for any suspicious activity is 1-800-657-3504.