(WUSA) --There has been drama in a Guantanamo Bay courtroom.
The self proclaimed mastermind of the September 11th attacks and four others faced a military judge Saturday.
Khalid Sheikh Mohommed refused to answer any of the judges questions. A co-defendant had to be put in a restraint chair. At one point two of them got up and prayed.
The five are charged with terrorism and for the 9-11 attacks that killed nearly 3-thousand people.
Some Family members of the victims have traveled to Cuba to be at the hearing.
But Thomas Heidenberger stayed behind. His wife, Michelle, was on flight 77 when it crashed into the Pentagon on 9-11. He says the trial hasn't even started yet and none of the court proceedings will bring his wife back. She died just shy of their 30th wedding anniversary.
"it's not going to change anything not going to bring Michelle back."
More than a decade later, the long legal process has only just begun.
The trial could still be months away.
Heidenberger, "We are now in many respects having to relive that day. We have 3000 families who have to relive the days, months and years of pain and suffering. It's almost as if it's a cancer. At least, to me it keeps eating away.
After the loss of his wife, Heidenberger helped build the Pentagon Memorial as one of the projects original board of directors.
Since the horrific day of 9-11 Michelle has missed their daughter's marriage, the birth of their grandchild and other milestones. Heidenberger has also remarried.
"On a beautiful day I think of that day or think Michelle is going to walk through the side door and look at Julia and say what are you doing here? What's gotten me through the years, my involvement of the Pentagon Memorial and my children. In order to survive you have to live to live you have to survive."
Family members have a chance to watch the military court proceedings at four military bases including Fort Hamilton in New York City and Fort Meade in Maryland.
The five accused face execution if convicted.