NSA Naples Holds 9/11 Cadence Run

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Donavan K Patubo | Sailors onboard Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples Support Site participate in a cadence run held in remembrance of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and United Airlines flight 93, Sept. 9, 2019. NSA Naples is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed, when they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Donavan K. Patubo)  

NAPLES, ITALY

09.09.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Donavan K Patubo 

U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples

NSA Naples Holds 9/11 Cadence Run
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Donavan Patubo

NAPLES, Italy (Sept. 9, 2019) Members of the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples community participated in a cadence run to remember the events of 9/11 and honor those who lost their lives Sept. 9, 2019.

More than 80 members of the community, both active duty and civilian, took part in the event which started at 6 a.m. on NSA Naples Support Site.

“We wanted to bring our commands together in unity to observe one of the most impactful moments in history that changed the perspective of America and the military,” said Religious Programs Specialist 2nd Class Bethany Caldwell, one of the event coordinators. “The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 led many to join the military and reminded service members why we joined - to protect our mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters."

This year marks the 18th anniversary of 9/11 which is now known as Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Each year, people around the world take time to not only mourn the loss of life, but to celebrate the many displays of heroism that took place on Sept. 11, 2001.

“It was an extremely terrible and unfortunate event in our history, but during that time we saw amazing firefighters, military men and women, police officers, and civilians who risked their lives to save their brothers and sisters,” Caldwell said.

Those who attended the cadence run had the opportunity to hear from the event’s guest speaker and base physical security officer, retired Master Chief Petty Officer Scott Thompson.

Thompson was serving as a military working dog handler at the time of the attacks and would continue his service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. We should always remember the sacrifices of the victims of 9/11 as well as those who immediately answered the call to save them and the service members and civilians that have answered the call to defend our nation at all costs, said Thompson.

“We can never do enough to honor the memory of the innocent men, women and children that were killed that day,” Thompson said. “2,996 people from 78 different countries had their lives senselessly cut short, including the heroic first responders and scores of other personnel who ran into the face of danger to save countless others.”

At the conclusion of Thompson’s speech, Caldwell and Construction Mechanic 2nd Class John Borra, who also helped to coordinate the event, led the group in a dynamic workout before falling into formation for the three-mile run around the Support Site. The cadence run was led by several different Sailors, including Seabees assigned to NSA Naples Public Works Department.

“The cadence run was a great opportunity to show a unified front by all, similar to those of many nations immediately following the attacks,” Thompson said. “Bravo Zulu to all those responsible for the event.”

NSA Naples is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed, when they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia.

• Date Taken: 09.09.2019
• Date Posted: 09.10.2019 06:53
• Story ID: 339150
• Location: NAPLES, IT