Remembering 9-11-01: Putting miles behind the memories

Published Sept. 9, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Jacob Morgan
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Everyone has a story. Some are tales of heroism, some of ordinary daily events. However, each one of these stories has special meaning to those who lived through it.

On Sept. 11, 2001, Jerry Murphy, a freshman in a Philadelphia high school, learned of the events at the World Trade Center like many others -- the television. Immediately, he had images of a Cessna flying into a building, but the reality of the day would soon reach his TV and change the course of his life.

Today, Jerry Murphy is Staff Sgt. Murphy, who has served two tours in Iraq as a member of the Air Force's security forces. On Sept. 1, 2011, almost 10 years later, Murphy did his part to remember 9/11 by marching with his fellow Team Dover members down a long Pennsylvania road, which served as the 436th Security Force Squadron's part of the "9/11 Ruck March to Remember."

"This march serves a reminder to all service members of what we are doing and why we are doing it," said Chief Master Sgt. Rich Sherman, the manager of the 436th SFS. "Every member who marches from San Antonio to New York City has done something worth remembering."

Murphy remembers that after the first plane hit the North Tower, principals and teachers stood outside his school ushering students to cars, and even taking some students home themselves. By the time he was home, the second tower had been hit, and soon after the first tower collapsed.

"It may sound selfish, but my thoughts turned to my father, who is a Philadelphia highway patrolman," said Murphy.

For two days and two nights, Murphy did not see his father.

"I was so angry, and so scared. I wanted to do something. I needed to do something," said Murphy. "Going to college left my mind. I decided I wanted to serve my country."

Running up a large hill with more than 40 pounds on his back and sweat drenching his uniform, he runs by a bus full of children in Three Springs, Pa., who are all clapping and cheering for him; he remembers why he joined the Air Force in March of 2006.

"I got real choked up when we ran past the bus," said Murphy. "You know, [they are] the reason we do this job. They are the reason I went through two tours."

Murphy was deployed to Takrit, Iraq, and less than a year after his first deployment he was back to Iraq for a second tour.

On his second deployment as a member of security detail, Murphy facilitated bringing local nationals on base to help in construction. As a certified combat life saver, Murphy saw and helped locals in crisis situations.

One day he helped bring a woman on base for medical treatment. She was being carried on a gurney by two locals; she had accidently blown up a propane tank right in front of her. Her body was badly charred and she had severe wounds from inhaling the burning gas.

"I may not have been in any combat situations," said Murphy. "But, I was helping the locals, I am very proud of that."

As the 436th SFS prepared for the March, Murphy was preparing to leave the service. He was diagnosed with a herniated disc and underwent decompression surgery and is now being medically discharged.

His past memories, from Sept. 11, 2001, until Sept. 2, 2011, came together at the 9/11 Ruck March to Remember. The reason he joined the service met the end of his Air Force career.

"Looking back, I was angry. I wanted to do something to get back at the people who had hurt my country," said Murphy. "This march helped me remember that not all Iraqi and Afghan citizens are the people who flew planes into the towers. These are people who want and need our help."

The 9/11 Ruck March to Remember will end at "Ground Zero" in New York City on the morning of Sept. 11, 2011. The three-month-long march included more than 300 security forces members from across the country.