Vandenberg Remembers The Lives Lost On 9/11 Twenty-Five Years Ago
LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) - Vandenberg held a formal 9/11 remembrance ceremony this morning, where multiple generations were gathered.
Leaders from around the county joined Col. James Horne and company for a formal ceremony of prayer and remembrance for all of the lives lost 25 years ago today in New York City.
“I was too young to have been alive,” says Airman 1st Class Abraham Martinez, a firefighter with the 30th Civil Engineering Squadron. “But ceremonies like this, events like this help educate us, help educate the younger generation.”
Remarks began at exactly 9:46am, an hour after the first plane struck the north tower of the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001.
“A highlight that stood out to me is definitely remembering those who lost their lives in 9/11, the first responders, including the civilians,” says Airman 1st Class Shemaraiah Thurman, an aerospace medical technician with the 30th Medical Group.
The ceremony included a flag of 13 folds, symbolizing the lives lost and their families.
“I can only imagine how stressful it was trying to save multiple lives while also not knowing what was going to happen next,” says Thurman.
Col. Horne spoke, sharing his own testimony of where he was that day and how he came to grips with what was happening.
“We have to remember,” the Colonel emotionally orated, “the ones who jumped out of the Trade Center because the alternative was burning alive.”
“It's incredible to remember the bravery and honor, everything that they've done, those that sacrificed and those that continue to sacrifice,” says Lt. Col. Seth Poulsen, commander of the 30th Civil Engineering Squadron.
Long, palpable moments of silence preceded the Bell Ceremony to conclude the presentation, announcing the passing of comrades.
“Ceremonies like these help us remember at the end of the day, we're all united,” says Martinez. “We all have to stick together.”
The younger generation present at the ceremony say they feel their elders are doing a good job keeping the memory alive of a day we should never forget.
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