0735 – terrorists Atta and al-Omari board American Airlines Flight 11, along with the rest of the Flight 11 hijackers.
0759 – American Airlines Flight 11 departs towards Los Angeles International Airport.
Archive for the ‘Memorial’ Category
9/11 Memorial – As It Happened – 0700
Friday, September 11th, 20159/11 Memorial – As It Happened – 0600
Friday, September 11th, 2015
0600 – terrorists Mohammed Atta and Abdulaziz al-Omari traveled to Logan International Airport from Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine.
0652 – fellow terrorist Marwan al-Shehhi called Atta at Logan to confirm the plans of the attack.
9/11 – Remember
Friday, September 11th, 2015It’s been 14 years now. The longer it’s been, the closer I become to that day. I remember it all so vividly, events unfolding on the TV screen and once I realized what was afoot, as I made my way from my quarters on base to my Squadron, as a skeleton staff assembled. Granted, we didn’t know much, but it was obvious whatever did happen was going to involve us, so my mind was on the tasks at hand. We were in crisis response mode so there was no time for emotion.
Now, I can take it all in. Now, I can grieve, and I do. My youngest who wasn’t even born yet on 9/11, came home from school yesterday and told me his homework was to talk to me about September 11, 2001. I showed him the Towers, I ran him through the timeline and told him about the needless deaths that day and the heroes who saved so many. I told him of friends lost fighting this war. Then, I said to my son, “Now I’m going to show you the one thing you need to always remember about that day,” and we looked at pictures of the jumpers and as I explained their choice. Then, after he went to play, I wept.
Please join me in remembering those we lost on September 11th, 2001 and over these ensuing 14 years.
“OneWorldTradeCenter” by Joe Mabel – Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
We’ve rebuilt the structures they destroyed but we’ll never be able to replace the lives they took. America is a resilient, vibrant nation. But, we’re in danger of ignoring what a dangerous place this world is. The threat isn’t gone. We must remain vigilant. We must never allow another tragedy to befall our people.
I continued serving for several years after that day, retiring, eventually working in industry. Over time I began to process the tragedy. I’ve dealt with it little more each year as I grow further and further the events.
One thing has remained.
I will Never Forget and I will Never Forgive.
You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up
Thursday, July 16th, 2015 
This is the Desert One Memorial at Arlington National Cemetary.
Thanks DS!
Fayetteville And Fort Bragg Honor SOF K9s With Memorial Celebration
Thursday, May 14th, 2015Each Memorial Day, the Special Operations Forces (SOF) K9 Memorial Committee and the Airborne & Special Operations Museum holds a Memorial Ceremony to honor K9s who died the previous year. New plaques are established around the “Constant Vigilance” statue, each dedicated to a single K9, marking both the dogs’ birth and death dates. This year, the ceremony will be held on May 25th at 1200 on the grounds of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville.
“Constant Vigilance” is the world’s first memorial to Special Operations K9s killed in the line of duty. It was dedicated in July of 2013 and honors K9s at home and abroad. In front of the statue is a dedication plaque which reads:
The Bond Between a SOF handler and his K9 is eternal. Trusting each other is a nameless language.
Here we honor the SOF K9s that have paid the ultimate price.
These well trained K9s have saved numerous lives, often times losing their own lives in the process. Fittingly, Constant Vigilance overlooks “Iron Mike” – the icon of the Airborne Trooper. Both memorials are on the grounds of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville.
Field of Honor
Each year, the Fayetteville and Fort Bragg Community host a “Field of Honor” on the grounds of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum. Each flag honors a current or past service member; the same courtesy is extended to the K9s. The “K9 Field of Honor” surrounds the statue during Field of honor. Large flags are placed next to the dogs’ flags, representing the handlers who were killed alongside the dog.
Remembering Rory McGahan
Tuesday, April 7th, 2015I just received news that Rory McGahan has passed away. A USMC Veteran, Rory was a patriot and worked for several prominent companies in industry after leaving the service. He was a friend to many and will be missed.
There are few details so far but first and foremost, let’s keep his daughter in our thoughts and prayers. If you’ve got a memory of Rory, this is a good place to share it.
Rest In Peace my friend.
France – We Stand With You
Wednesday, January 7th, 2015
We post this image from World War One to demonstrate how America and France have stood together in the face of tyranny. Our two nations have long been there for one another and now, we mourn your loss earlier today at the hands of savage gunmen.
Rest In Peace John Noveske 1976 – 2013
Sunday, January 4th, 2015Lest we forget, the life and times of John Noveske, who passed from this mortal coil some two years ago today. Gone, but not forgotten.
May he rest in peace.
