9/11: We will never forget

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua Smoot
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Approximately 200 Wing One members joined together for a Sept. 11, 2001, remembrance ceremony at the Grizzly Bend at Malmstrom Sept. 11.

On Sept. 11, 2001, four passenger airliners were hijacked by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists so they could be flown into buildings in suicide attacks. Two of those planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, crashed into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. Within two hours, both towers collapsed with debris and the resulting fires caused partial or complete collapse of all other buildings in the World Trade Center complex.

A third plane, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon leading to a partial collapse in its western side. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was targeted at Washington, D.C., but crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after its passengers tried to overcome the hijackers.

In total, almost 3,000 people died in the attacks, including the 227 civilians and 19 hijackers aboard the four planes.

"None of us will forget this day," said George W. Bush, President of the U.S. at the time of the attacks. "Yet we go forward to extend freedom and all that is good and just in our world."

Chaplain (1st Lt.) John Reuttemann, 341st Missile Wing chaplain, provided the greeting for the ceremony.

"Today we pay tribute to the selfless heroes and innocent victims of Sept. 11, 2011," Reuttemann said.

Following the greeting, the base honor guard provided a presentation of the colors.

Airman 1st Class Courtney Gardner, 341st Force Support Squadron chef, sang the national anthem and "God Bless America" during the ceremony.

Chaplains (Maj.) Chris Conklin and (Capt.) Robert Mohr, 341st MW chaplains, provided an invocation and a scripture during the ceremony.

"Although pain still exists, we are grateful for those who placed themselves in harm's way to protect us," Conklin said. "So many of our brave first responders gave their lives so others may live."

Col. Tom Wilcox, 341st MW commander, presented his words of remembrance for the wing.

"We have to take this moment every year and not forget," Wilcox said. "Thanks to all of the Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines that don the uniform. You and dozens of folks like us have answered that call post-9/11 to stand up for what we believe is right in freedom in the world."

Wilcox and Chief Master Sgt. Phillip Easton, 341st MW command chief, performed a wreathe laying for the victims of 9/11, followed by a moment of silence.

"This day is also filled with remembrance of innocent victims who lost their lives and we honor those who have given their last breath so that tyranny and terror will not win the day," Conklin said.