9/11 remembered in Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (Sept. 11, 2008) -- During the 9/11 ceremony held on Bagram Air Field Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser, commanding General of Combined Joint Task Force-101, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Vincent Camacho, Command Sgt. Maj. of CJTF-101 set a reef in place in memory of those who were killed seven years ago Thursday. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Scott Davis)

9/11 remembered in Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (Sept. 11, 2008) -- Gen. David D. McKiernan, commanding General for International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan, speaks during the 9/11 ceremony that was held on Bagram. Troops from Coalition and ISAF, along with contractors and employees on base, gathered for the ceremony Thursday. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Scott Davis)

9/11 remembered in Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (Sept. 11, 2008) -- Soldiers salute during the 9/11 ceremony held on Bagram Air Field Thursday. Troops from Coalition and International Security Assistance Forces gathered to pay their respect and remember those who were killed seven years ago. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Scott Davis)

9/11 remembered during heart-felt ceremony in Afghanistan

Published Sept. 12, 2008
By Spc. Mary L. Gonzalez
CJTF-101 Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Soldiers and civilians from several nations affected by the War on Terror gathered beneath the towering flagpoles today at the Combined Joint Task Force-101 Headquarters at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan to remember September 11, 2001 during a heart-felt ceremony.

On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001 terrorists attacked the United States through a series of despicable acts of terror. They hijacked four passenger jets, crashed two of them into the Twin Towers and a third into the Pentagon, causing a great loss of life and tremendous damage. The forth plane crashed in the Pennsylvania countryside, killing all on board, but falling far from its target because of the heroic efforts of the passengers.

This attack, which caused the collapse of the World Trade Center and destroyed part of the Pentagon, took more than 3,000 innocent lives. Those who perished included over 500 civilians from 91 foreign nations.

"Today is a day of remembrance, but it's also a day, especially for us here, of recommitment," said Gen. David D. McKiernan, commanding general for International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan.

In the entryway of the CJTF-101 Headquarters hangs a picture of two smoldering towers, one engulfed by a fireball, the other billowing black smoke. This picture reminds all who come inside, and even all who come to Afghanistan why they are here--to keep that day from ever happening again.

"Since this day seven years ago the world has transformed," he said. "And because of the brave men and women willing to fight this tough battle, we know that the ideals of human dignity will prevail against evil."

During the ceremony, Maj. Karen Meeker, CJTF-101 deputy chaplain gave a prayer for those in attendance and those who were there on that day.

"Bless the souls of the thousands of citizens from over 90 countries and the hundreds of emergency responders who were killed seven years ago today," she said in prayer.

Crumbling New York towers, billowing smoke from the pentagon and a gaping hole in Shanksville, Pa. will forever scar memories, she said, but let all those nations who recognize that freedom is the right of every human being to solidify into an unstoppable force and to not let this fight to be passed to the next generation.

"We remember the legacy of our fallen heroes in the war on terror," McKiernan said. "warriors who answered the call of duty that made the ultimate sacrifice. We recognize that we are still in a fight to secure a future free from oppression--and we know we must succeed in this mission."