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b'No doubt, we all remember where we were on 9/11, and hearing the sounds replayed after 15 years bring back the vivid memories of the horror we all felt brought on by the events of that day. Our lives were forever changed. "Our Town" host Andy Ockershausen sat down with 34-year news veteran WMAL News Director John Matthews to relive one of the most horrific days in our town\\u2019s history. Listen now at the media player above.\\n \\nAndy had a tennis game that morning at Army-Navy Country Club and had just finished it. He saw smoke billowing from The Pentagon and immediately called the station to report it, and gave his eyewitness report on air. John tells us that Andy \\u201cvery well may have been THE first reporter on hand\\u201d to call into any broadcast station. Andy\\u2019s one and one-half minute report \\u2013 which you will hear at the beginning of the podcast - reveals his initial impressions of the terror. The information he reported to WMAL in the first minute of his report became vital to those who were first responders and helped to determine what should happen next. In fact, it was information that would not be known to the rest of the world for \\u201chours and hours and days\\u201d according to John.\\n \\nJohn starts out that crisp, clear September day - \\u201cone of the 10 perfect days\\u201d that Washington has each year - handing out assignments to his news staff. The big stories that day were to focus on Michael Jordan joining the Wizards, and Gary Condit\\u2019s alleged link in the death of Chandra Levy. \\n \\nBy the time, he receives Andy\\u2019s call, John is fully engaged in news about planes hitting the World Trade Center and has had an informational call with a Pentagon spokesperson. After Andy\\u2019s call, he tells us that instantly they \\u201cthrew all format out the window\\u201d and were \\u201cthrowing stuff on the air as quickly as they could\\u201d. WMAL went four days without commercials because as Andy puts it he knew that \\u201cmoney was no object\\u201d and that WMAL would want \\u201cto cover this story and do it in the right way.\\u201d \\n \\nFinally, John and Andy discuss how even though changes have been made to improve on how we do things in our town since 9/11, some things remain the same despite efforts for change. For instance, we have better cell phone coverage and most local radio stations have access to national news wire, but efforts for city-wide evacuation plans seem to come and go without resolution. Listen in to John and Andy\\u2019s lively discussion on what changes our town has and has not seen since that fateful day.\\n \\nWe chose this story as the springboard for "Our Town" - a new podcast series that formally debuts on September 21st. It made sense to us to kick off our inaugural season with what Andy calls the \\u201cmost memorable broadcast day\\u201d of his life, and one of the biggest stories in the history of our town. In addition to John Matthews, Andy has interviewed over 30 Washingtonians in the last few months for our first season. \\n \\nWe invite you to listen in to each episode as they roll out over the next several months. Andy encourages his guests to tell their stories by asking questions only he can. His deep understanding and knowledge of the recent history of Washington, DC during the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90\\u2019s and his close relationships with his guests give him that edge. You will be intrigued and delighted with each individual\\u2019s story and their retelling of their personal connections and contributions to our town. Please share Our Town with your family and friends, and feel free to leave a comment. Thank you.'