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Transit Center remembers 9/11 victims

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matt Benedetti
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan --  Deployed service members and dignitaries from several countries observed the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks during a solemn ceremony at the Transit Center at Manas. The early evening tribute marked a day of remembrance that included official remarks, the ringing of the Memorial Bell and a moment of silence.

The ceremony commemorated the lives lost and the heroic actions of first responders who are credited with saving so many people that morning.

Col. Corey Martin, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, found it fitting that the ceremony was held on Kyrgyz Republic soil.

"Only 103 days after the attacks of 9/11, the Kyrgyz Republic welcomed coalition service members into its borders. Once here they were able to begin the effort to rid Afghanistan of the destabilizing forces which had led to the attacks on New York City and Washington D.C.

"The establishment of the Transit Center is certainly an extension of U.S. and Kyrgyz Republic cooperation that began in 1991 and continues to thrive to this day. I am thankful for the steadfast partner that the U.S. has found in the Kyrgyz Republic," he said.

Martin also recognized the contribution of coalition forces in support of operations in Afghanistan.

"The Transit Center began as a coalition base and though it no longer houses permanent coalition forces, they routinely transit this ground. Last year, service members from 23 nations transited through and their presence serves as a marker of their country's commitment and I am thankful for the steadfastness of the countries represented here today," Martin said.

Martin praised the efforts of the first responders; police officers, fire fighters and emergency medical personnel. "They are the individuals who run towards, not away from danger. First responders are the heroes of 9/11," he said.

In particular, he remembered Chief Peter Ganci, the highest ranking member of the New York Fire Department, who was among the 343 New York City firefighters and paramedics killed conducting rescue operations during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. "Chief Ganci's bravery allowed countless people to survive," he said.

The day holds special significance for Airman 1st Class Dominic Florini, 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter.

"I was in 5th grade when 9/11 happened and had an uncle who escaped one of the towers. Those events directly impacted my family and I felt a call to duty, but I was too young," said Florini, a native of Vestal, N.Y., who is deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

"One day I hoped that I would be able to serve and I joined the Air Force. A few years later I am here at the Transit Center, supporting the cause," Florini said.