An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Wing holds 9/11 remembrance ceremony

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Ted Nichols
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --  Members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing held a ceremony here Tuesday to mark the 17th anniversary of the lives lost during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“Today’s ceremony was held to honor the first responders who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty on that tragic day,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Strickler, 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron commander. “Many of our Airmen are too young to remember seeing the attacks live on television. We pause today and use this solemn ceremony to remind them of their heritage as firefighters and police officers and to hold these heroes as exemplars of selfless service.”

The solemn event featured an honor guard consisting of two security forces defenders carrying rifles and two firefighters carrying fire axes to represent the law enforcement and firefighting communities. One honor guard member tolled a bell that marked each of the significant events that occurred during the 2001 attacks.

“We take this moment to remember and honor the 2,977 people killed on this day 17 years ago. We also remember those who without pause responded to the aid of others on this horrific day in American history,” said Senior Airman Bryan LaBarge, event narrator. “Three hundred forty three firefighters, 60 police officers and 8 EMS providers gave the ultimate sacrifice proudly serving their community. Although these heroic men and woman are gone, their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

The ceremony brought together the various emergency responder career fields represented on base to honor the sacrifices made on 9/11.

“Pausing to remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives on 9/11 is a testament to the disciplined professionalism of our defenders and emergency responders,” said Lt. Col. Michael L. Gallucci, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces commander. “Our defenders, our firefighters and our Airmen know that each and every day when we wake up and put on our uniform that we are honoring those who gave their lives on that fateful September day.”

The remembrance was also broadcast on local emergency response frequencies.