114th Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Pvt. Karin Leach

BAGHDAD - Shadows fell from service members headgear onto their faces as all heads bowed during the invocation for the Sept. 11 ceremony at the Al Faw Palace, Camp Victory, Iraq, in remembrance of the 2,973 men, woman and children who lost their lives eight years ago.

Service members crowded all openings to watch the solemn remembrance. The ceremony's host, Lt. Gen Charles H. Jacoby Jr., shared encouraging words of the nation's performance since the terrorists struck.

"Since 9/11, we have not lost our focus," Jacoby, commanding general of Multi-National Corps-Iraq, said. "We remain vigilant as we perform our duty, and we make the sacrifices required in the service of our nation, to defeat extremism and to bring terrorists to justice, so that future generations in all countries may enjoy peace and prosperity for their citizens."

On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists sought to devastate the country and change the way of life. A plane crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower at 8:46 a.m. The crash resulted in the loss of 1,466 lives. The second plane crashed into the World Trade Center's South Tower at 9:03 a.m. resulting in a loss of 624 lives.

American Airlines Flight 77 impacted the West side of the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. During the crash 184 people lost their lives. The final crash occurred at 10:10 a.m. when United Airlines Flight 93 crash landed into a Pennsylvania country side.

Maj. Bryan Skarda worked in a vault on the opposite side of where the plane hit the Pentagon and witnessed the mass confusion resulting from the crash.

"We left and I could see the smoke pouring from the side of the building," Skarda, knowledge management officer, Multi-National Force-Iraq CJ6, said. "It was white almost like a cloud and I remember having to remind myself it wasn't a cloud. Several people were crying. The building had started to smell like smoke as the air handlers spread it around."

Most can remember the emotions they felt at the moment they learned the World Trade Center had been attacked. Multi-National Force - Iraq Commander Gen. Ray Odierno reflected on the events of 9/11.

"By attacking us eight years ago today our enemies sought to destroy our way of life," Odierno said. "The attackers were as evil as they were ingenious, yet they made one crucial mistake; they underestimated us and our resolve to defend life and liberty against the threat of extremism.

"American bravery was exhibited almost immediately by the courageous acts of the passengers of Flight 93. Though their actions cost them their lives, their sacrifice saved an untold number of innocent people and set the tone for our response."

On Sept. 11 a total of 421 first responders were killed. To honor the fallen firefighters a bell sounded five times, repeated in four series while service members rendered salutes. It is tradition to honor departed firefighters with the "Striking of Four Five's."

As the ceremony came to a close audience members trickled out of the palace's rotunda to continue on with the work day, but not forgetting the sacrifices made eight years prior to the day.

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