My 9/11 [Image 7 of 10]

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES

09.09.2016

Photo by Lance Cpl. Dana Beesley   

Communication Directorate             

Master Gunnery Sgt. John L. Abbracciamento, 56 — Valley Stream, New York

I was home. I received a phone call from my wife, and she said, “You better put the TV on.” My sister was in the Towers.

Like everybody else, we thought it was just an accident. As a New Yorker, you know those buildings are built to withstand something like that. When the building came down I realized that this was really bad.

I went and picked up my kids from school. My oldest was only five. We shut off all the TVs. Fortunately, my sister survived, and my brother-in-law is a firefighter and he survived as well. Amongst all that grief, you got a little bit of reprieve because your loved ones were okay.

Soon after that when I came back to work, I think everyone in that situation wants to say “What can I do?” So I contacted our head of operations and asked, “What’s the chance of me going up to New York and playing Taps at some memorial services?”
For three days I was with the Marines up in New York City.

I came into the Marine Corps in ’92. When I am asked to play Taps, it’s an honor and a privilege — after 9/11, even more so. But what is most sacred about Taps is that you’re never going to know who the performer is. And that’s the way it should be, because I’m not performing, I’m not providing entertainment, I’m providing a service, and it never should be about me. It should always be about the fallen.

I went and performed with the band at ground zero for an anniversary. As a New Yorker, being back at ground zero was really something. It was a little windy and they had to bring a truck to keep the debris down. As you were standing there, you’d have small debris and grit in your mouth. I turned to my right and I see a woman wearing her husband’s police shirt, and if you had any complaints, you stopped right there when you saw the look on her face.

We have short memories, and I think we take our freedom for granted. Never forget what happened.

• Date Taken: 09.09.2016
• Date Posted: 09.10.2016 22:16
• Photo ID: 2844040
• VIRIN: 160909-M-XU431-008
• Resolution: 5369x3623
• Size: 7.56 MB
• Location: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US
• Hometown: VALLEY STREAM, NEW YORK, US