A memorial bell was struck 10 times to mark the tenth anniversary of 9/11, during a ceremony Sept. 11, 2011, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. Between each strike, audience members were asked to reflect upon the events of that fateful day in history. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Paul Labbe)

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Audience members stand at attention during a ceremony to mark the tragic events of 9/11, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. Members representing the United States, Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom attended the ceremony Sept. 11, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Paul Labbe)

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9/11 never forgotten

Chaplain (Col.) Dondi Costin, U. S. Air Forces Central Command chaplain, gives the invocation during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony Sept. 11, 2011, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Paul Labbe)

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A memorial bell was struck 10 times to mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11, during a ceremony Sept. 11, 2011, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. Between each strike, audience members were asked to reflect upon the events of that fateful day in history. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Paul Labbe)

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Col. Giovanni Tuck, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. William Harner, 379th AEW command chief, salute after placing a ceremonial wreath, Sept. 11, 2011, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The wreath is a memorial and tribute to the 2,977 victims of the 9/11, attack. The victims, from more than 90 countries, included emergency medical service personnel, New York and Port Authority Police Department officers, New York Fire Department firefighters, airline crews, U.S. military personnel, and civilians. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Paul Labbe)

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9/11 never forgotten

Chief Master Sgt. Richard Parsons, U.S. Air Forces Central Command command chief, was the guest speaker at a 9/11 remembrance ceremony, Sept. 11, 2011, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The ceremony marked the 10-year anniversary of the sudden and tragic terrorist attack upon the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Paul Labbe)

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Staff Sgt. Glenn Rodgers, 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, strikes a ceremonial bell Sept. 11, 2011, during a 9/11 commemoration ceremony at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. Rodgers, a native of Pittsburgh, Penn., is deployed from Hurlburt Field, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Paul Labbe)

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Deployed troops remember the fallen of Sept. 11

Published Sept. 12, 2011
By Senior Airman Eric Summers Jr.
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- 'Ding.'

The sound of a bell can be heard breaking the silence across the room.

'Ding.'

The solemn crowd listens to the ringing eight more times, before it is finally halted.

Each ring of the bell represents a year that has passed since the tragic events of 9/11 during a commemorative event Sept. 11 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

"Today is just not about all of us," said guest speaker Chief Master Sgt. Richard Parsons, the command chief for U.S. Air Forces Central Command. "We promised we would remember the fallen, we would react to the evil forces of terror that we would remain committed to freedom and to face those who try to suppress it.

"It is a time the nation draws together, but not just our nation, many nations, and continues to be drawn together by evidence of our coalition force," added the Macon, Ga., native.

According to Parsons, more than 2 million troops have deployed to combat terrorism. He said we must remember not only the people who lost their lives on 9/11, but the many others who have sacrificed their lives to bring those responsible to justice. The chief also spoke about how Sept. 11 made an impact on his life.

"For me it was the day my occupation became a calling. It was the day the service had a new meaning," he said.

The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence and prayer from Royal Air Force chaplain Rev. (Wing Commander) Jan Taylor.

9/11 never forgotten

9/11 never forgotten