SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing bring the American flag to half-staff at the wing's 9/11 Memorial site Sept. 11, 2012. The wing honored the memory of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, with a 5-kilometer walk/run and 12-hour walk to remember that began and ended at the site. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Joshua Leach)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgts. Christopher Hurst, 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, and Marvin Wagoner, 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, carry the American and 9/11 memorial flags to begin a 9/11 Memorial 5-kilometer Walk to Remember Sept. 11, 2012. The wing honored the memory of the events of 9/11 with a 5-kilometer walk/run and 12-hour walk that began and ended at the wing's 9/11 memorial site. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Joshua Leach)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Alissa Bray, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron intelligence officer, hydrates after participating in a 9/11 Memorial 5-kilometer run Sept. 11, 2012. Bray is deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing from Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Joshua Leach)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - A 380th Air Expeditionary Wing member wears a shirt made for the wing's 9/11 Memorial Walk to Remember Sept. 11, 2012. The wing honored the memory of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, with a 5-kilometer walk/run and 12-hour walk that began and ended at the wing's 9/11 Memorial site. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Joshua Leach)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - Members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing pass the American and wing's 9/11 flags to other wing members Sept. 11, 2012. The flags never stopped moving as they were walked around the wing for 12 hours before they were returned to the wing's 9/11 Memorial site during a ceremony to honor the memory of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Joshua Leach)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Shane Bridges, 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance technician, is assisted with the removal of his bomb suit after he participated in a 9/11 Memorial 5-kilometer walk Sept. 11, 2012. Bridges, who is deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., wore the 80-pound suit for the entire walk. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Joshua Leach)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - A firefighter's helmet and mask sits in remembrance of the sacrifices made by first responders during the events of 9/11 Sept. 11, 2012. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing held a memorial to commemorate the 11th anniversary of this tragic day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeremy Barr, 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron patrolman, secures a pair of boots before a ceremony commemorating 9/11 Sept. 11, 2012. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing held a memorial to commemorate the 11th anniversary of this tragic day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. Army Spc. Jennifer Patzke, 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment solider, secures a pair of boots and a rifle during a 9/11 ceremony at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Sept. 11, 2012. The helmet, rifle and boots are placed to remember all the servicemen and women who have lost their lives in defense of our nation since the events of 9/11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kendall Fair, left, and Senior Airman Eloy Garcia, right, 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, walk the last lap around the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Sept. 11, 2012. Members of the 380th AEW took turns marching the flags around the base for 12 hours before coming to rest at the 9/11 memorial site. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kendall Fair, left and Senior Airman Eloy Garcia, 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, lead members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing on the last lap around the base before a ceremony commemorating 9/11 Sept. 11, 2012. Members of the 380th AEW took turns marching the flags around the base for 12 hours before coming to rest at the 9/11 memorial site. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Eloy Garcia, 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, hands the memorial 9/11 flag to Master Sgt. Laurie Cherry, 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron first sergeant, during a 9/11 memorial ceremony at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Sept. 11, 2012. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing held a memorial to commemorate the 11th anniversary of this tragic day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - Members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's Honor Guard prepare to hoist flags during a ceremony to commemorate the events of 9/11 Sept. 11, 2012. The 380th AEW held a 5-kilometer race, a 12-hour walk around the base with flags and a remembrance ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - Members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's Honor Guard hoist flags during a ceremony to commemorate the events of 9/11 Sept. 11, 2012. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing held a memorial to commemorate the 11th anniversary of this tragic day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - Members of the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters stand at attention during a 9/11 ceremony at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Sept. 11, 2012. The 380th AEW held a 5-kilometer race, a 12-hour walk around the base with flags and a remembrance ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Phillip Burns, 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, rings a bell to commemorate the firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11 during a remembrance ceremony at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Sept. 11, 2012. The 380th AEW held a memorial to commemorate the 11th anniversary of this tragic day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)
SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S Army and Air Force members from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing stand in formation during a remembrance ceremony Sept. 11, 2012. The 380th AEW held a memorial to commemorate the 11th anniversary of this tragic day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)
9/13/2012 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing honored the 11th anniversary of 9/11 by holding several events here.
The day's events began with a 5-kilometer run/walk, continued with a 12-hour flag carry, and ended with a memorial ceremony at the wing's 9/11 memorial site.
Brig. Gen. Paul McGillicuddy, 380th AEW commander, spoke at the memorial ceremony. What follows are his remarks from the event:
"Eleven years ago, four hijacked aircraft changed the path of our nation. For many of us, the images of these aircraft impacting the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon are now captured in our minds forever.
"Ask anyone where they were when this attack occurred, and they vividly remember. This is a testament to the powerful effect this event had - anchoring a lasting impression into our memories. This act was intended to instill fear, but instead inspired a nation. Our perceptions of liberty and freedom were challenged - and the world watched. You, the men and women in uniform, accepted that challenge.
"All that gather here today know all too well that for these past 11 years, we have been engaged in war against a network of groups and individuals dedicated to destroying the U.S. and our way of life. Our strength, our dedication and our endurance have been tested for over a decade.
"We have not faltered and we will not fail. We will seek these evildoers out and punish them wherever they might be. Today we remember the innocent ones who lost their lives - men, women and children who died for no other reason than for being American -- we do this so our nation prevails and so that the world be left a better place for all.
"Over time, we may not remember exactly what was said here today -- but we will never forget what we are here to memorialize. Let us never forget those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Our charge is to ensure that those who have passed before us have not died in vain, that our sacrifices have not been in vain, that we ensure a renewed lease on freedom, and that the greatest nation ever assembled shall not perish from the face of the earth.
"Thank you -- every Airman, soldier, sailor, and marine -- for your service. God bless you and the United States of America."
