451st remembers 9/11

The 451st Honor Guard lowers the American flag to half staff to commemorate those who lost their lives to the Sept. 11 attacks here on Sept. 11, 2009. On Sept. 11, 2001, four planes were hijacked; one fell short of it's destination but three killed approximately 3,000 people. We will never forget the events that took place or the people who fell on the day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)

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451st remembers 9/11

Members of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing stand at ease while Tech. Sgt. Pamela Bell reads the poem "Remember September" by Andrew St. Wilson in honor of those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, here, Sept. 11, 2009. Sergeant Bell performed self-aid and buddy care to those who were injured during the attack at the Pentagon. More than 100 people stood in formation to remember those who fell on the day the Twin Towers fell and to honor those who sacrificed their lives on Flight 93 so others may live. Sergeant Bell is a Knowledge Operations Manager with the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing command staff. Her home station is Holloman AFB, N.M., and she hails from Sedalia, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)

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Airman recalls events of Sept. 11

Technical Sgt. Pamela Bell reads the poem "Remember September" by Andrew St. Wilson during a Sept. 11, 2001, memorial ceremony here Sept. 11, 2009, as more than 100 Airmen from the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, observed the anniversary. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)

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Airman recalls events of Sept. 11, 2001

Published Sept. 11, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
451st AEW Public Affairs

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- "I really don't like talking about it," said Tech. Sgt. Pamela Bell, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Command Staff Knowledge Operations Manager, when asked what she recalled of Sept. 11, 2001.

Sergeant Bell, who had been preparing to attend a meeting eight years ago today, was walking through the Pentagon when an airliner piloted by terrorists plummeted into the side of the building that September morning. The portion of the building in which she was located shook violently.

"We had no idea what it was, and we heard yelling and screaming; they had us all evacuate the building," she said. "I basically helped out with self-aid and buddy care, assisting individuals who were hurt to get to the ambulances. I was just doing my duty."

Sergeant Bell said experiencing the horrible events of Sept. 11, 2001, did not affect her decision to remain a United States Airman for at least 20 years before retiring.

"It gave me a sense of pride to be able to help once I realized the magnitude of everything that happened," she said.

Sergeant Bell participated in a ceremony today along with more than 100 Airmen of the 451st AEW here who commemorated the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

451st remembers 9/11

451st remembers 9/11

Airman recalls events of Sept. 11