Luke remembers 10-years later

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class David Owsianka
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Where were you when 9/11 happened? What was your initial reaction? How did you remember that day a decade later?

With Sunday being the 10-year anniversary of 9/11, Luke Air Force Base held a memorial ceremony Sept. 9 at the base flag pole as a moment to reflect on the last decade while looking forward.

"The events of that day remain clear and vivid in our minds as we remember those who innocently lost their lives and the acts that helped us come together as a nation," said 2nd Lt. Christopher Bennett, 56th Force Support Squadron.

On that morning, 19 Al-Qaeda terrorists, under the direction of Osama Bin Laden, hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners.

The hijackers intentionally crashed two planes into the World Trade Center twin towers in New York City, killing everyone on board and thousands of people working in the buildings.

The third plane crashed into the Pentagon, and the fourth plane tried targeting what is believed to be either the Capitol or the White House in Washington, D.C., but crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pa., after passengers attempted to retake control of the airliner.

"The attacks on 9/11 shook America to the very core," Bennett said. "Even though the attacks were meant to cause fear and chaos, they brought our nation to a new level of support, compassion and strength."

According to Master Sgt. Emory Flagg, 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Aerospace Ground Equipment flight support NCO-in-charge, having the retreat ceremony instilled the military heritage and culture in the younger service members coming up in the military.

When the attacks occurred, Tech. Sgt. Ida Bushey, 56th Fighter Wing commander secretary, experienced a change in her views of national service.

"I remember thinking at that point I was willing to go anywhere and would do anything that was needed," she said. "Prior to the event I felt scared to deploy, but after that day I knew I would go anywhere, anytime to give my support any way possible."

Since the attacks of 9/11 happened, two million Americans have answered the nation's call and served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"The efforts in stopping the war on terror will continue to strengthen," Bennett said. "As we move forward to defend our freedom we will remember."