Within the years following the 9/11 terrorist assaults, life for Individuals has gave the impression to be returning to regular. However not on the Pentagon, mentioned Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III.
“We do not simply work close to a memorial. We work in a memorial,” he mentioned at this time at a ceremony honoring the 184 lives misplaced within the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist assault on the Pentagon. “And daily we feature a robust sense of objective.”
The occasion was held on the Nationwide 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, positioned adjoining to the western aspect of the constructing the place the hijacked American Airways Flight 77 crashed. It was attended by members of the family of the victims and space Protection Division and first responder personnel.
“We don’t bend to terror. And in unsure instances, our compass stays our Structure. This division doesn’t simply defend our nation and our residents, it additionally defends America’s founding values of democracy, freedom and liberty,” the secretary mentioned.
The secretary famous that solely 6% of at this time’s troops had been in uniform on 9/11 and 21% of them had been born after that day.
Austin thanked them and their households for his or her service, including that he particularly thanks his fellow veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The US navy stays the best combating drive on Earth, not simply due to our may, however due to our folks. And we are going to at all times try to hold ahead with values of the teammates whom we misplaced right here 23 years in the past. Their reminiscence is our mission, and their households are our households, too. You’ve got endured limitless sorrow with unimaginable power. We stand with you at this time and daily, and we rededicate ourselves to dwelling as much as the instance and the goodness of your family members,” the secretary mentioned.
Joint Chiefs of Employees Chairman Air Drive Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., famous that those that had been at work that day within the constructing recall the absence of panic, regardless of the horror, shock and confusion.
They had been skilled navy and civilian professionals devoted to the mission and to serving to the women and men within the constructing. Many ran towards the hazard in an effort to avoid wasting others, regardless of the smoke and fireplace and peril, he mentioned.
Brown mentioned that the day’s gathering acknowledged the heroes of 9/11 and honored the members of the family who’ve borne the deepest loss, carrying an unimaginable weight for the previous 23 years.