13 years later: Academy reflects on 9/11 attacks

  • Published
  • By Amber Baillie
  • Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Fog rolled across the Academy Sept. 11 as thousands of cadets and Academy leaders gathered at a solemn ceremony to honor the nearly 3,000 victims who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001.

During the event, the Academy remembered 9/11 victims, prisoners of war and those missing in action with the playing of Retreat, Taps and the National Anthem, and laying of three wreaths to represent the 9/11 crash locations: New York City, The Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa.

"I was 9 years old and in the South Pacific when 9/11 happened," said Cadet 1st Class Adam McMurray. "Ever since, I knew I wanted to join the military to help stop something like that from happening again. I became a (certified) firefighter at the age of 17 and it's been one of the most important things in my life."

Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson, Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Stephen Williams and Vice Dean of the Faculty Col. Kathleen Harrington laid the wreaths in front of the 9/11 Memorial here, donated to the Academy in 2011 by Don Addy, president of the Homeland Defense Foundation.

The memorial features two granite slabs to represent the World Trade Center towers and includes a piece of melted steel from WTC Tower Two that sits atop a five-sided foundation, representing The Pentagon. "World Trade Center," "The Pentagon" and "Shanksville, Pa." are etched in the granite.

"The ceremony gave us a moment to reflect on what it means to be an American and what sacrifice is truly about," said Chief Master Sgt. Maxwell Grindstaff, the Academy's command chief. "I reflected on this as I looked at 4,000 of America's best and brightest (cadets) who will eventually go to war and defend our country. The first responder helmet and baton are poignant reminders of the 9/11 attacks that weren't long ago."

The start of the 48-hour remembrance run followed, with cadets from every squadron participating.

"I really appreciate the level of commitment cadets have demonstrated during the run," said 10th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Chief Ken Helgerson. "To run for two days straight, around the clock, with a helmet symbolizing the fire department is something not many incorporate in 9/11 ceremonies. It's a deep level of (personal) investment for cadets and gives everyone a good sense to remember 9/11."

The remembrance run has been a tradition here since 2011. Cadets carry a fireman's helmet with the number 343 inscribed on it, representing all of the firefighters killed in the 9/11 attacks. They also carry a baton dressed with U.S. military symbols and a POW/MIA flag to honor victims and comrades. The run concludes 4:45 p.m., Sept. 13.