NCIS' Brian Dietzen recalls terrifying moment in personal life in highly emotional message

The actor plays Dr. Jimmy Palmer in the long-running police drama

Brian Dietzen was one of the many celebrities to pay his respects on Monday to remember all those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terror attacks on September 11, 2011. 

The NCIS star had a personal memory from the day, and recalled the terrifying scare he faced concerning two close friends who were due to fly to New York City the night before, and who were due to stay at a hotel located next to one of the World Trade Center buildings. 

Revealing the tense moments trying to contact them as the terror unfolded on the day, Brian wrote: "If you’re old enough, you remember where you were 22 years ago. 

"My wife and I had just woken up in our Los Feliz apartment to see the news on the television. It was terrifying, disorienting and made our hearts ache and scream. 

"My mind immediately went to my two dear friends Mike and Patty who were supposed to be flying out to NY the night before, and were booked to stay at the hotel in one of the World Trade Center buildings." 

Brian continued: "I left frantic voicemails and thankfully heard back a few hours later. They were safe. They’d decided to take the morning flight and were grounded in Las Vegas. 

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"As all air travel was halted and all cars were rented, they needed a ride back to LA. That’s how Kel and I found ourselves in a casino hotel room on the night of 9/11. I was so thankful our friends were alive." 

The Dr. Jimmy Palmer actor added: "Every year I get a text from Patty and I think about all the families and friends who never returned frantic voicemails. Those who never came home. 

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"My heart breaks for those who lost so much this day 22 years ago. Sending love and hope to all who hurt today." Brian's followers went on to recall their own memories of September 11, while others paid tribute to all those who lost their lives and loved ones. 

Brian is married to Kelly Dietzen, and the pair share two children, who are never featured on their dad's Instagram in order to protect their privacy. 

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In fact, Brian and Kelly are so private when it comes to their children that they have never disclosed their names or anything about them into the public domain. 

The actor has been playing Jimmy Palmer on NCIS since 2004, having first landed the role as a guest appearance, before carving out his career in the show. 

"One of the big, memorable days is my first scene here [on NCIS]. And I was hired to do one scene with David McCallum, one day," he told CBS. 

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"And I went in there, we had a nice juicy scene with David, where I was nervous, and I was working on a tape recorder. 

He and I played really, really well together." Brian was promoted to a series regular on NCIS in 2012, eight years after appearing in his first episode.

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