Angela Angela M. Houtz (Photo Duey Graham)

The daily commute was like any other that Tuesday as Bob Houtz stopped for gas at Cahill's on Route One until he heard the news from an attendant. En route from his home in Nobleboro to his job as Chef for the Ocean Point Inn, Houtz watched the second plane hit the Trade Center before heading onto Ocean Point, his mind racing with target scenarios. His older daughter, a Latin and South American affairs expert for the NIS, was in Washington, D.C. and could be in harm's way.

Reaching Ocean Point, he was told that a third plane had hit the Pentagon and he instantly felt empty and scared but confident Angela would call when she could. A Senior Analyst for Naval Intelligence, Angela worked in the refurbished and reinforced section that was struck by Flight 77 but was not quite sure where. Calling her apartment with hope that Angie would answer, Bob learned from her roommates that the Navy was looking for her too; the phrase "unaccounted for" was tearing at his hope. After phoning younger daughter Jaime, a nurse in hometown LaPlata, Maryland the family could only wait. When no further word came by eight that night, reality hit home hard.

Angela's Commander called at 2 p.m. and confirmed the worst. Houtz was in a C-ring meeting with 17 other top-level Pentagon analysts, investigators and generals who had just gathered to dissect the ongoing Trade Towers attack when Flight 77 plowed through two outer rings before engulfing the room where they met. "She was working in the big leagues for the Joints Chiefs of Staff," stated Commander David Radi, Angie's boss for over a year.

Identified through DNA tests a week later at Dover, Delaware, Angela's remains were shipped to her family home in LaPlata where services were held on September 24. Receiving full military honors, Angela M. Houtz was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Civilian Award of Merit by her grateful country during a six-hour memorial service in LaPlata attended by high ranking federal, military, and state officials who honored her memory with full military escort, a 40-man color guard, bagpipers, a contingent of 100 Maryland State Troopers, County Deputies and a large motorcycle procession. An attending admiral read a letter of condolence and pride from President and Laura Bush.

Opting to walk instead of ride between the service and nearby cemetery, Bob was soon joined by a procession of mourners and friends who accompanied Angie's family to the site where her mother, Julie Shontere of LaPlata, was handed the traditionally folded American flag from a grateful nation.

"It was as much a fabulous spectacle as it was gut-wrenching," said Houtz with pride upon reflection, then smiled at a passing memory. "Angie had two full-time jobs, one for humanity and one for her country. She also loved Boothbay Harbor and Ocean Point."

"Angie had a passion for helping people," said Bob's wife, Julie, from their Nobleboro home. "She worked in conjunction with the Salvation Army and Church of the Apostles to clothe and feed the homeless in Washington, D.C. She cared about educating young people."

"She was such a loving, caring, giving and happy person. Everyone she met felt connected with her in just minutes. I love her dearly," continued Julie, "and thank God for the gift of her life."

Angela was the Salutatorian at Maurice J. McDonough High School in 1992 and her picture hangs on the schools' wall of fame. After high school Angela received a full scholarship in the humanities program to the University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus.

Her friends have established the Angie M. Houtz Memorial Scholarship fund in her honor. Donations are requested and may be sent to Angie M. Houtz Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1187, LaPlata, Maryland 20646. The family will travel to the Pentagon on October 11 for a memorial service to be held in honor of America and the victims of 9-11-01.