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.
Archive for the ‘Memorial’ Category
9/11 Memorial – As It Happened – 0600
Sunday, September 11th, 20169/11 – 15 Years On
Sunday, September 11th, 2016It’s been 15 long years since I awoke to a nation under attack. The longer it’s been, the closer I find myself to that day. I remember it all so vividly, events unfolding on the TV screen. I was on leave anticipating a PCS to SOCPAC in Hawaii at the end of the month and had slept in that day but once I realized what was happening, I made my way from my quarters on base, to the Squadron&/ headquarters building. Only a skeleton staff had assembled. Both Fort Bragg and Pope AFB had gone to THREATCON Delta, making entry extremely difficult for anyone, mission critical or not. Granted, we didn’t know much, but it was obvious we were at war and whatever did happen was going to involve us, so my mind was on the tasks at hand. At the time, were in crisis response mode, so there was no time for emotion, just action. That sustained me for many years.
Now, I can take it all in. Now, I can grieve, and I do. I often speak with my children about the significance of Septemeber 11th, 2001 on my own life, and our life as a family. It’s strange to consider that I have served in a war that one of my daughters has also served in.
Last year, I shared a story about my youngest, who wasn’t even born yet on 9/11. He had come home from school 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 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 15 years as we have waged war against terror.
“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 such as this to befall our people.
I continued serving for several years after that day, retiring, and 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. And yet, something has remained.
I will Never Forget and I will Never Forgive.
De Oppresso Liber Statue Dedication – NYC – 13 Sep 2016
Friday, August 26th, 2016
De Oppresso Liber Statue Dedication – NYC – 13 Sep 2016
Who: 500-800 attendees expected
What: Rededication of De Oppresso Liber “America’s Response Statue” to its permanent home
When: 13 Sep 2016 @ 1130-1230
Where: Liberty Park, World Trade Center, Albany St & West St, New York City (elevated ‘green space’ that overlooks the 9/11 Memorial Plaza). Please see news link below.
Why: Statue commemorates the servicemen and women of America’s Special Operations response to 9/11, including those who fought in the early days of Operation Enduring Freedom. This operation led to the initial defeat of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Info courtesy of the Air Commando Association.
Remembering Extortion 17
Saturday, August 6th, 2016Five years ago today a US Chinook helicopter was shot down west of Kabul, Afghanistan. There were no survivors. 31 American lives were lost. These men had ‘The Guts to Try’ and we must never forget them.
From the Joint Special Operations Association.
Deutschland, Wir Stehen Miteinander
Monday, July 25th, 2016
The attacks your great country have endured over the last few weeks are unfathomable. We grieve for your wounded and fallen, hoping for a new day, free from acts of senseless violence.
Rest In Peace – CPT Larry Dring (USA, Ret)
Monday, July 25th, 2016When I was a kid, I read about Larry Dring’s Army exploits and they definitely influenced my own service. For example, I was often in hot water over being in the wrong uniform.
Unfortunately, he passed away even before I joined the Army myself, but I often went back and read the accounts written by SF Veteran Jim Morris and published in Soldier of Fortune magazine. To me, he was a hero.
Today is the anniversary of his death and I thought I’d introduce this legend to my readers.
I recently ran across a great memorial website, complete with scans of the SOF articles, and found out that Larry’s son also served in the Army. They put a lot of work into it, so be sure to go check it out.
vietnamveteransmemoral.homestead.com/dringlarry
GoFundMe – JSOC Memorial
Sunday, July 10th, 2016
Paying tribute to 174 American Heroes and the six units that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation.
The memorial also pays tribute to the eight men that were killed on the daring hostage rescue mission in Iran in 1980. These men had the “Guts to Try” and this mission was the genesis of JSOC.
Artifacts incorporated into the JSOC memorial
1)Sand/Pebble from the DESERT ONE crashsite. Encapsulated and placed in the foundation wall of the memorial. Donated by pilots from Operation Eagle Claw.
2)WTC Steel. The swords on the JSOC Emblem are forged from WTC Steel, donated by FDNY. These swords are forged by an alumni of the command.
3)Pentagon Limestone from the remains of the Pentagon attack on 9/11. This stone forms the foundation on which the JSOC emblem rests.
4)Soil/Rock from United Flight 93 crash site. This soil fills the Pentagon cavity that the JSOC emblem rests on. Always reminding us of the patriotism and heroism of Americans….. “Let’s Roll”
100% of funds raised will go to this memorial. Donations are Tax-Deductible, Tax ID is: 26-0801248
Planned dedication is October 22 – the anniverary of JSOC.
This memorial will be the ONLY memorial that pulls together the collective sacrifice of the units that make up JSOC.
It will serve as a constant reminder to the men and women that serve in JSOC, as well as to those who visit the organization.
www.gofundme.com/JSOC-Memorial
Stay Safe
Friday, July 8th, 2016Tonight we’ve already lost several Law Enforcement Officers in Dallas, Texas and many more are wounded. If you’re out in the streets, stay safe, and that goes for everybody.
May those who have fallen in the line of duty, Rest In Peace. May those who are wounded, heal quickly.
