At Home in Hallowed Ground

John J. Chada

Section 64 Site 4646

Arlington National Cemetery

Photo Credit: Michael Robert Patterson (2002)

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, John J. Chada, Manassas, Virginia, was at work at the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 was crashed into the building by the murderous cowards who had hijacked it. He was fifty-five years old.  Two days shy, in fact, of celebrating his fifty-sixth birthday. 

He was a civilian employee.  He worked for the Department of Defense Information Management Support Center as an administrative assistant.  Before embracing civilian life he had served this nation as a member of the United States Navy and as a member of the United States Army.  He served two tours in Vietnam. He retired from the Army as Sergeant First Class John J. Chada.  

John J Chada and his wife of thirty years, Ginger, had one daughter, Tammy Merritt, and two grandchildren.  On November 20, 2001 he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. 

John J. Chada

Section 64 Site 4646

Arlington National Cemetery

Photo Credit: Michael Robert Patterson (2003)

-AK