Hero Spotlight
Scott Abel
U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Alan Port
Deployed members honor Patriot Day
Scott Abel, one of our newest SCV members, is second from right.
by Senior Airman Olufemi A. Owolabi
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
9/24/2007 - BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq --
More than 200 servicemembers and civilians here trooped to the Morale and Welfare Recreation east side center to attend the 2007 Patriot Day Remembrance Service ceremony.
The service, organized by Soldiers of the 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion and the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing company grade officers council at Balad and Logistical Support Area Anaconda, was in honor of the victims and families of those killed during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Patriot Day was designated by Congress and proclaimed by President George W. Bush to commemorate the attacks. Today, we join our fellow Americans and people across the globe to cherish freedom," said Army Col. Karen Jennings, 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command deputy commander, "and to commemorate the sixth-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, in which more than 3,000 people lost their lives as a result of the cowardly acts by terrorists."
The ceremony commenced with the Presentation of Colors by the Joint Honor Guard; singing of the national anthem by Airman 1st Class Katelyn Beheringer, 332nd Expeditionary Equipment Maintenance Squadron; invocation by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Bruce Farreell, and opening remarks from Army Lt. Col. Carlos Morales, 63rd ESB commander.
As we remember 9-11, we will not falter or fail in the practice of conflicting terrorism and providing adequate security to the American people,Colonel Morales said. We will continue to bring our enemies to justice or bring justice to them. Here today, we have good samples of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who are united more than ever after the event of 9-11 to combat terrorism. His statement was followed by the reading of passages from Psalm 91 and another remark from Colonel Jennings and Col. Steven Shepro, 332nd AEW vice commander. Also, two eyewitnesses of 9-11, Army Maj. Joel Comepegie and Sgt. Maj. Deborah Carolina-Godbolt, both of the 316th ESC, gave the audience firsthand tributes of what they experienced. During her remarks, Colonel Jennings, who had been working at the Pentagon for just two months before the attacks, shared with the audience stories of what she remembered about that day.
Having just learned a way to navigate herself around the Pentagon, the colonel sent out an e-mail to members of her section, telling them she would be coordinating a tour of the Pentagon.
But, little did I know that my world would change in the next three minutes,the colonel said. The next e-mail I sent out said, 'Pentagon has been hit; all non-essential personnel have been evacuated.' It (the e-mail) was short and swift.
She remembered and narrated many things, like the chaos and confusion the event caused, tears, smoke-filled buildings and sirens going off, and she said all these things still linger in her mind. In addition, Colonel Shepro, whose wife was a few blocks away, on her way to work at the World Trade Center when the attacks occurred, said servicemembers and civilians at the ceremony should should share a sense of pride for being part of the team fighting for freedom.
You all share the determination and a bond with that person sitting next to you right now for being committed to this team," Colonel Shepro said, "a team that is joined together to defend our families, our nation and our way of life.
The defining moments of our nation are not found in the vicious attack on innocent civilians perpetrated by extremists," the colonel said. "but our defining moments are found every day in what you achieve for our current mission and for each other. That is why, unanimously, our country believes in what you do and who you are.
In his remarks, he shared a story to illustrate how the fight for freedom here is a force that spreads, including here in Iraq: an Iraqi man recently gave his life to save the lives of four Soldiers and eight civilians by intercepting a suicide bomber that was trying to enter a town hall meeting. His father expressed to others the pride he had for his son, who saved Americans who were fighting the common enemies of freedom. The destiny of a life, just like the destiny of a nation, is remembered by its actions, Colonel Shepro said. "Everybody here stands as its testimony. The ceremony culminated with a show of patriotism and commitment to service when five Soldiers took an oath of re-enlistment. Back to top
Hero Spotlight
Scott Abel
U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Alan Port
Deployed members honor Patriot Day
Scott Abel, one of our newest SCV members, is second from right.
by Senior Airman Olufemi A. Owolabi
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
9/24/2007 - BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq --
More than 200 servicemembers and civilians here trooped to the Morale and Welfare Recreation east side center to attend the 2007 Patriot Day Remembrance Service ceremony.
The service, organized by Soldiers of the 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion and the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing company grade officers council at Balad and Logistical Support Area Anaconda, was in honor of the victims and families of those killed during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Patriot Day was designated by Congress and proclaimed by President George W. Bush to commemorate the attacks. Today, we join our fellow Americans and people across the globe to cherish freedom," said Army Col. Karen Jennings, 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command deputy commander, "and to commemorate the sixth-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, in which more than 3,000 people lost their lives as a result of the cowardly acts by terrorists."
The ceremony commenced with the Presentation of Colors by the Joint Honor Guard; singing of the national anthem by Airman 1st Class Katelyn Beheringer, 332nd Expeditionary Equipment Maintenance Squadron; invocation by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Bruce Farreell, and opening remarks from Army Lt. Col. Carlos Morales, 63rd ESB commander.
As we remember 9-11, we will not falter or fail in the practice of conflicting terrorism and providing adequate security to the American people,Colonel Morales said. We will continue to bring our enemies to justice or bring justice to them. Here today, we have good samples of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who are united more than ever after the event of 9-11 to combat terrorism. His statement was followed by the reading of passages from Psalm 91 and another remark from Colonel Jennings and Col. Steven Shepro, 332nd AEW vice commander. Also, two eyewitnesses of 9-11, Army Maj. Joel Comepegie and Sgt. Maj. Deborah Carolina-Godbolt, both of the 316th ESC, gave the audience firsthand tributes of what they experienced. During her remarks, Colonel Jennings, who had been working at the Pentagon for just two months before the attacks, shared with the audience stories of what she remembered about that day.
Having just learned a way to navigate herself around the Pentagon, the colonel sent out an e-mail to members of her section, telling them she would be coordinating a tour of the Pentagon. But, little did I know that my world would change in the next three minutes,the colonel said. The next e-mail I sent out said, 'Pentagon has been hit; all non-essential personnel have been evacuated.' It (the e-mail) was short and swift.
She remembered and narrated many things, like the chaos and confusion the event caused, tears, smoke-filled buildings and sirens going off, and she said all these things still linger in her mind. In addition, Colonel Shepro, whose wife was a few blocks away, on her way to work at the World Trade Center when the attacks occurred, said servicemembers and civilians at the ceremony should should share a sense of pride for being part of the team fighting for freedom.
You all share the determination and a bond with that person sitting next to you right now for being committed to this team," Colonel Shepro said, "a team that is joined together to defend our families, our nation and our way of life.
The defining moments of our nation are not found in the vicious attack on innocent civilians perpetrated by extremists," the colonel said. "but our defining moments are found every day in what you achieve for our current mission and for each other. That is why, unanimously, our country believes in what you do and who you are.
In his remarks, he shared a story to illustrate how the fight for freedom here is a force that spreads, including here in Iraq: an Iraqi man recently gave his life to save the lives of four Soldiers and eight civilians by intercepting a suicide bomber that was trying to enter a town hall meeting. His father expressed to others the pride he had for his son, who saved Americans who were fighting the common enemies of freedom. The destiny of a life, just like the destiny of a nation, is remembered by its actions, Colonel Shepro said. "Everybody here stands as its testimony. The ceremony culminated with a show of patriotism and commitment to service when five Soldiers took an oath of re-enlistment. Back to top