White House photographer recalls documenting Bush on 9/11

Much of what President George W. Bush saw and did on Sept. 11, 2001, was documented through the viewfinder of a man working just steps away from him.9/11 through the lens of a White House photographerEric Draper, the chief White House photographer for Bush, began that day 25 years ago in a Florida classroom. The first report of a plane striking the World Trade Center was still believed to be a terrible accident.Then, Draper saw the president's expression change as Chief of Staff Andy Card whispered into his ear: America 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 had been wheeled into the room carrying live images of the burning towers.Draper photographed Bush passing the screen. Then reaching for a notepad as his advisors fed him information.The presidential motorcade was soon racing toward Air Force One, its engines already running."And