Never forget, 438th AEW remembers 9/11
By Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs / Published September 12, 2012
KABUL, Afghanistan --
The 438th Air Expeditionary Wing held a memorial and remembrance ceremony at Kabul, Afghanistan, International Airport yesterday to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11.
Airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines, coalition service members and civilians of the 438th AEW stood together in formation in remembrance of 9/11. Leaders of the Afghan Air Force, to include Maj Gen Abdul Wahab (Wardak), Chief of Staff, Afghan Air Force, also joined the ceremony.
The master of ceremonies, U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Tammala Lawson, led the crowd through an admirable ceremony, which included the unveiling of a 9/11 memorial.
The base of the memorial is formed in the shape of a pentagon. The pillars are images of the world trade center towers, and the steel plate is a piece of one of the world trade center buildings.
The memorial was carried on stage and put into place by Master Sgt. Thomas Gorski and Tech Sgt. Samuel E. Brandt, 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron Afghan forward observer advisors. Even though the memorial is small in size, it holds tremendous symbolism, a symbol of remembering, rebuilding and resolve.
"I am proud to be an advisor in Afghanistan and felt honored to be able to carry a piece of the world trade center with my supervisor during the 438th AEW 9/11 ceremony," said Brandt.
"It was an honor to carry a piece of the World Trade Center to the podium during the 9/11 memorial ceremony, honoring all of the men and women who had their lives taken during the events that happened on Sept. 11, 2001, and for all the servicemembers that made the ultimate sacrifice over the past 11 years," said Gorski. "Also, for all my Tactical Air Control Party brothers that ruck the countryside with U.S. Army everyday while engaging the enemy in combat, it was the least I could contribute during the memorial."
The ceremony continued by ringing a bell 11 times in remembrance of the 11 years since 9/11.
"It was our generation's Pearl Harbor; the day a faceless enemy killed thousands of non-combatants on American soil. Those who don't enjoy liberty will take ours away if we allow terrorists to operate freely- even in far-off lands," said Chief Master Sgt. John L. Hoffman 438th AEW Command Chief.
As the years pass by the dedication to the war on terrorism continues.
"For us here in Afghanistan it is important to remember why we're here. We honor the victims of that attack. And we pledge to continue working with our Afghan hosts toward a secure tomorrow both here and across the world." said Brig. Gen. Steven M. Shepro, Commanding General, NATO Air Training Command, NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan and Commander, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing.
As the ceremony continued on, senior officers to junior enlisted members recalled that tragic day in history.
"From my assignment in the nation's capital, I witnessed our world change from one moment to the next. As for many, that moment for me was a renewed call to service," added Shepro "It is an honor to serve beside countless brave men and women that answer the same call daily; many that volunteered after that moment, and many that were even too young to recall that fateful day,".
Reveille was played and Lawson concluded the ceremony with a quote from President Abraham Lincoln.
"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion"