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AMC bases commemorate fifth anniversary of 9/11

  • Published
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Air Mobility Command joined the citizens across the nation today in paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Bases across the command commemorated the fifth anniversary with special retreat ceremonies and participation in the America Supports You Freedom Walks in their local communities.

The America Supports You Freedom Walk, first held in 2005 in Washington D.C., was this year held in 117 cities across the country, bringing together city officials, civic leaders, and thousands of individuals, organizations and public and private entities nationwide.

"The Freedom Walk is being embraced by thousands of Americans because we need a way to come together, as a nation, and reflect on what happened that day. This overwhelming response to the Freedom Walk, with walks in every state of the union, speaks to the American spirit," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense.

In addition to participating in the local Freedom Walk, personnel at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., participated in a remembrance ceremony at the Emma E. Brooker Elementary School, the school where President Bush was when he received word about the attacks on the Twin Towers.

McGuire AFB, N.J. personnel had the opportunity to participate in a special ceremony dedicating the "Struggle Against World Terrorism" monument in Bayonne, N.J. The monument is a gift from the people of Russia to the United States.

Many AMC bases held special retreat ceremonies, most with more than 500 base personnel in attendance.

"Today, as we remember those who perished in the cowardly attacks of September 11th, our hearts are united in sorrow but our spirits are resolute and our efforts are unyielding in the Global War on Terror," said Col. T. Harrison Smith, vice commander of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, during the Patriot Day retreat ceremony at McConnell AFB, Kan. "The perpetrators believed Americans were soft ... they wanted to vanquish our will and divide our country. As we know, the terrorists were wrong."