U.S. Special Forces, Philippine Service members honor the fallen during 9/11 observance
ZAMBOANGA CITY- Members of
Joint Special Operations Task Force -Philippines held a ceremony Sunday,
observing the 10th anniversary of the events of 11 September 2001.
Members of the Philippine
Security Forces joined U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen in recalling
the events that were instrumental in the creation of Operation Enduring
Freedom.
“Ten years ago, our nation
and the Western democratic way of life was attacked, blood was shed, nations
mobilized, battle lines drawn and our lives were changed forever,” said U.S.
Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Shane McKenzie during the opening of the
ceremony.
Master Chief McKenzie and
the JSOTF-P Chaplain, U.S. Army Maj. David Lile, recalled the events as they
occurred 10 years ago today.
“ Eight forty-six and
twenty-six seconds: Flight 11 crashes at roughly 466 miles per hour into the
north face of One World Trade Center, between floors 93 and 99,” read Chaplain
Lile.
After the recollection of
events, JSOTF-P members shared personal testimonies.
“Ten years ago, I was in
high school and we were watching the events unfold on TV,” recalled one U.S.
service member. “My Aunt was in the World Trade Center, that day … She was
taken away.”
People from many nations
lost their lives that day. JSOTF-P leaders said the ceremony not only honors
the fallen, but is a reminder to those who currently serve.
“September 11th
was the worst of days, and we remember those fallen on that day, those who
served on that day and every day since then,” said U.S. Army Colonel Fran
Beaudette, JSOTF-P Commander. “Today is the best of days. We get to do what we
do … To continue our nation’s bidding, and continue to help our partners who
are focused on the cause of freedom.”
U.S. Joint Special
Operations Task Force – Philippines was established in 2002 to support the
Armed Forces of the Philippines in their fight against trans-national terrorism
in the southern Philippines.