LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Few dates evoke emotion like 9/11. Its mere mention rekindles memories of a shocked nation under siege.
It also re-galvanized Americans, who will never forget the events of that day in 2001.
The Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency observed the 10th anniversary of that fateful fall day with a pair of events Sept. 9.
The first took place in the agency's Heritage Center where an overflow gathering was shown a glass-encased display featuring a model of the World Trade Center Towers, a memorial floral arrangement, a screen scrolling the names of those who died in the towers, and recreations of shrines in New York City dedicated to those who perished.
"We recreated it this way to remind everyone this is about people, not buildings, not wars. We want to honor them," said display designer Senior Master Sgt. Benjamin Jones, of the AFISRA History Office. "We're not reflecting so much on the tragedy, but the lives that became the tragedy."
The AFISRA History Office staff, in conjunction with the AFISRA Multimedia staff, then unveiled four panels in the Heritage Center depicting the timeline sequence of events of 9/11. The panels vividly recreate the hours of the terrorist attacks on the twin towers in New York City, the Pentagon, plus the commandeering of the fourth commercial jetliner which crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pa., as a result of heroic actions by its passengers.
"The panels are meant to present a visual picture of what happened," said Gabe Marshall of the AFISRA History Office. "They show how the world changed forever and how the [ISR] agency continues to play a key role in ridding the world of terrorists."
The scene shifted to the AFISRA headquarters auditorium where a near capacity crowd witnessed the organization's inaugural 9/11 anniversary observance.
The opening video presentation of some of the more memorable images of the attacks set to music and narration set the tone for the event, when the narrator said: "On this 10th anniversary commemorating 9/11, we take time to bond as a community. This togetherness fosters healing. It helps us move forward, knowing that in light of bad events, our community can adapt and overcome by keeping our resolve strong."
Afterwards, AFISRA Chaplain (Col.) Steven Schaick delivered a scripture reading. Col. John Bansemer, AFISRA assistant vice commander, then shared his reflections.
"That day I knew things would change forever, except the reliance Americans have on the military to defend our country," the colonel said. "We have an obligation to educate the next generation about the events of that day."
A member of the next generation, Staff Sgt. Joseph Drury, assigned to AFISRA's 70th ISR Wing, and the remembrance keynote speaker, spoke about how 9/11 impacted his life.
"In the wake of the tragedy, I realized that all Americans are family and how every American deserves protection from those who kill so freely," the young NCO said. "I enlisted because of the events of 9/11. My dad said 'you DO realize you're enlisting in time of war, right?' I said, 'that's the point.'"
Drury's full speech, which resonated with the audience as witnessed by their comments to him afterwards, is copied below.
Following a special prayer by AFISRA Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Richard Warner and a second slideshow presentation recounting the world-changing effects of 9/11, Master Sgt. Kerry Williams, chaplain's assistant, concluded the ceremony with the singing of "God Bless America."
September 11th, 2001.
It began with a phone call. I was a college student and woke up to the phone ringing at 9 in the morning. It was my mom and the first words out of her mouth were, "Are you watching the TV?"
I responded, "Obviously not mom, it's 9 a.m.; who's awake at this time of the day?" My stomach knotted when she told me "You need to turn it on, but please don't panic." It took me a few minutes to understand what I was seeing on TV.
Things became a lot clearer when I saw the second aircraft crash into the South Tower. It looked like all of New York City was on fire. There were mobs of people trying to flee Manhattan, people were jumping from buildings, and two of our nation's most distinctive structures came crashing down. There was talk on the news that some aircraft weren't accounted for.
Then another plane crashed into the Pentagon and yet another one into a field in Pennsylvania. This was a moment which changed my life's path. How many more aircraft were not going to make it to their destinations? Was there more to come?
People in my dorm were crying and frantically trying to get ahold of their loved ones. Some were afraid, saying that every plane could be a cruise missile.
Not me. I was furious. How dare someone go to these extremes? Why aim for defenseless targets full of civilians and children? What if they had been my family, friends, or neighbors? The people in those aircraft and buildings, they were all family and friend to someone... and they wouldn't be returning home, having been made victims of a cruel and senseless vendetta.
This wasn't an attack on some faceless building somewhere else in the world. This was an attack on our very identity, on America. And those people who were murdered weren't just nameless souls, they were Americans. And in the wake of this tragedy, I realized that all Americans are family and how every American deserves protection from those who kill so freely. I knew then that they were going to have to deal with me and those who serve with me as well.
I'm an Air Force staff sergeant assigned to the 70th Intelligence, Reconnaissance and Surveillance Wing. Like many Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen currently serving, I enlisted because of the events of September 11th. And I've been asked to share my story.
There were wars and acts of terrorism during my childhood, but they'd never concerned me. They were always in places of the world as real to me as somewhere from a Dr. Seuss book. But there I was on 9/11, with the sobering realization that this was going to be a chapter of every future American history book and having a difficult time not correlating it with Pearl Harbor. Both were devastating surprise attacks, which left thousands dead within the span of a few hours. Both attacks were carried out on symbolic centers of American identity. And both came to shape our resolve and affect our nation's policies.
Before 9/11, I had never seen America as united...with American flags hanging from every business and every home. I had also never been at an age where I could fight in a war; and I had never been at a point where I felt I needed to defend my loved ones and the only country I had ever known.
Like many of us, I struggled to find my place as an American who wanted to help. I wasn't sure where to turn to sign up for a fight where the other side didn't even wear uniforms and weren't bound by allegiance to any country. Where could I do the most good? How far could I push my capabilities? How could I possibly be useful to the most advanced and most sophisticated armed forces in the history of the world?
My recruiter helped me along by mentioning that I probably wasn't going to get my first choice of specialty, because no one passes the test. I saw this as a challenge, and I passed the test -- partly due to my pride, but also due to my absolute conviction that I could prevent those people from killing my countrymen again and hopefully, to help bring about every ounce of revenge they were (and still are) owed.
When I went home to tell my family I was enlisting in the Air Force, my dad said, "You DO realize you're enlisting during a time of war, right?!" And I responded, "That's the point."
Despite being afraid and having no idea where I would be headed, I can honestly say that at no point in my life did I ever feel such conviction about doing something. There were instances during all my training when things got tough. It would've been easy to just throw in the towel and try something new, but I never did. I knew the stakes were high and I wasn't just doing this for myself, I was doing it for my family, for my country.
My entire operational career has been in the same specialty, and I couldn't have chosen a better place to be. Due to the tactical nature of our unit, I have been able to do my part in the war on terrorism.
Not only have we been able to neutralize hundreds of enemy combatants, but we've also been able to keep our boots on the ground safe from the enemy, as well as prevent more radicals from crashing aircraft into buildings. We've struck enemy strongholds in places I'd never heard of before the war, but places I'll not soon forget. Strategically, we've helped to secure some of the most dangerous places in Afghanistan.
We've also been able to do a lot of humanitarian good there as well. For instance, we provided transit security for a turbine that went into the Kajaki Dam, supplying electricity to southern Afghanistan that had been previously denied to them by the Taliban. We have helped secure villages and allowed their occupants to get back to their lives. I can tell you, firsthand, Afghanistan is in a much better state than it was when I first went operational, over 200 missions ago.
When dealing with insurgencies, you can't measure progress by battle lines, numbers, or troops. You need to utilize intelligence and strike with overwhelming firepower. During the Cold War, our nuclear ICBMs were what kept us safe from attack; now it's intelligence that prevents the enemy from bringing the fight to us. Because of September 11th, I have striven to be the best possible Airman I can be; to help take the fight to the enemy and keep it on their doorsteps, not ours.
When the events took place on 9/11, I never dreamed I would eventually be supporting the war on terrorism as I do now.
The opportunities and empowerment the Air Force has given me are beyond belief. I think about how many people and resources are needed just to train Airmen in all the required specialties. To dedicate a teaching team, dormitories, meals, and other facilities towards young men and women who have yet to prove their worth shows a true commitment (from all the services) to completing the mission. Thanks to the U.S. Air Force, I am part of the most awesome, unyielding and unstoppable machine the world has ever known.
September 11th may have marked the beginning of the war on terrorism, but it's not a war against any specific nation. It's a war on anyone, anywhere in the world, who uses violence to intimidate. It is a war that absolutely requires that we stop them from ever getting close to our borders; to eradicate them from every rat's nest and "spider hole" where they might find sanctuary. And as long as we, as Americans, stay united and keep the determination to do the right thing, I believe we will continue to succeed.
9/11 changed all of us in very profound ways. I'm honored that I had this opportunity to remember with you... to reflect on the events of that day... to describe how my life was forever changed... and finally, to express my resolve towards winning this fight. I know, without a doubt, that this is the world's greatest Air Force.
We will never falter... And we will not fail.