JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
To commemorate the 22-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston hosted a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 7:46 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Main Flagpole on Stanley Road.
Members of the community came together to honor the 2,977 people who lost their lives during the tragic event that happened in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.
Maj. Gen. Michael J. Talley, Commanding General and Commandant, U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence and the 20th Chief of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, was the guest speaker for the event.
“Here in San Antonio, tragedy struck close to home that day,” Talley said. “One of our own was among the 125 people killed at the Pentagon. Lt. Col. Karen Wagner, a graduate of Judson High School and an Army Medical Service Corps officer, was serving in the Office of the Surgeon General at the time of her death.
“Her legacy continues here in San Antonio at both Wagner High School in Judson Independent School District, and Wagner Hall, home to the 32nd Medical Brigade Headquarters here on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, and in Washington D.C. at the Wagner Sports Center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center,” Talley added.
“I remember the outpouring of support, those who reenlisted and the civilians who raised their right hands to serve our nation in uniform after the attacks.” The general said. “If you reenlisted, enlisted or commissioned after 9-11, I’d like to thank you. You had no idea what lay ahead of you – none of us did –but you still swore an oath to defend America, and we as a nation are forever grateful for your service.”
The JBSA Joint Honor Guard presented the colors during the ceremony and the U.S. Air Force Band of the West provided patriotic music.
The particular time of 7:46 a.m. Central time was chosen as that was when Flight 11 crashed into the north face of the North Tower (1 WTC) of the World Trade Center in New York City, between floors 93 and 99, at 8:46 a.m. Eastern time on Sept. 11, 2001.