9/11 ten years later: gone but not forgotten

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lyndsey Horn
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  American servicemen and women, alongside their UK partners, gathered in a special retreat ceremony Sept. 9 to pay tribute to the lives lost ten years ago in the 9/11 attacks.

The ceremony paid tribute to the brave acts of the emergency response personnel exhibited during that terrible day. The 30 minute event included several speeches and prayers for the fallen medics, policemen, and firefighters.

"As the events of 9/11 unfolded, it was the emergency services that risked their lives running toward the chaos and destruction," said Lt. Col. Shawn Thompson, the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron commander.

"They bravely put themselves in harm's way and gallantly came to aid of the thousands of injured."

While the ceremony focused on remembering the emergency services, those in attendance were not only honoring those lost on 9/11, but the more than 6,000 military members who have been lost in the decade since.

"The event has inspired a 9/11 generation that has, since the attacks, joined our force. We are very proud of the fact that it is an all volunteer force. We continue to have great patriots, great quality Americans joining our forces that are excited to defend freedom around the world," remarked Col. John Quintas, the 48th Fighter Wing commander.

In the ten years since the attacks, the military has seen the 9/11 generation grow. At RAF Lakenheath, at least 67 percent of its personnel joined after Sept. 11, 2001.

"[The day] is still something that affects us all. It was great tragedy and a great loss of human life. It's an inspiration for me to serve my country. It was a good portion of why I joined," added Staff Sgt Trevor Brewer, 48th Security Forces Squadron.

The retreat ceremony ended with the playing of taps and a moment of silence.

"I've seen the wreckage [in New York]," said Senior Airman Robert Anderson of the 48th CES, "They are rebuilding, but they are resilient."