Photo By Joe Battle | Maj. Gen. James Thurman,(center) commander, Multi-National Division-Baghdad and...... read more read more
Sgt. Brian James Anderson
Multi-National Corps-Iraq PAO
Multi-National Corps-Iraq held a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Al Faw Palace Monday, reminding everyone in attendance why Servicemembers stand on foreign ground today.
On Sept. 11, 2001 America was attacked by terrorists, resulting in the death of 2,973 people.
Sept. 20, 2001 President George W. Bush said, "I will not forget the wound to our country and those who inflicted it. I will not yield, I will not rest, I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people."
Currently, U.S. Forces are involved in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, not only ensuring the safety of American soil from terrorist attacks, but also securing the freedom of millions of Iraqi and Afghani citizens.
The ceremony opened with the 76th Army Band playing the Iraqi National Anthem followed by the U.S. National Anthem.
Chaplain (Col.) Kenneth Brown, command chaplain, MNC-I, gave the invocation followed by a summary of events read by the Narrator Sgt. Maj. Ivor Watson, sergeant major, secretary of the combined joint staff. There was a moment of remembrance for those who lost their lives on the day, which for many, can never be forgotten.
Spc. Jose Burgos, Army Reservist, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, Fort Dix, N.J., who was an Emergency Medical Technician and provided medical care to the victims of the World Trade Center, said it only gets harder for him as the time goes by.
"I can't believe it was five years ago, it feels like yesterday," he said. "It is hard to imagine... it is hard being here, doing the (mass casualty) exercises, knowing I could be involved with something like that again."
Burgos was one of the eight Soldiers directly involved in aid or support on Sept. 11, who were in attendance for the ceremony.
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad, guest speaker, said the monument for the victims and the heroes from that day is being constructed now.
"The true monument for the heroes and victims of nine-eleven will not be made of stone, but will be living monuments," he said. "The 50 million people liberated from tyranny since that day. A free and prosperous Iraq will stand as the ultimate testimony to the sacrifices you are making to ensure that America remains secure from the threats posed by terrorists."
Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, commander, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, gave everyone a sense of closeness to the victims from the horrific day half a decade ago.
"They were mothers, fathers, daughters, sons and friends," he said. "They were old, middle-aged and children. Men and women, boys and girls. They were Americans, but they were also citizens of a dozen nations."
He went on to say some of them were innocent bystanders, while others were rescue workers and heroes who sacrificed their lives that day to save others. Chiarelli said the terrorists didn't realize America's determination to seek justice when they attacked U.S. soil.
"These murderers bet that the United States and its friends would stand by and do nothing," he said. "They bet that we would shrink from our duty and our purpose. They bet wrong."
"Over the last five years, the United States and its brave allies have waged an offensive campaign against those who hate free nations and free people," he continued. "Let there be no doubt, we will prevail in this struggle."
Chaplain Brown ended the ceremony with a remembrance prayer and a reception was held afterward in the rotunda of the palace.
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2006 10:49 |
| Story ID: | 7694 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 202 |
| Downloads: | 115 |
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