Victory troops remember Sept. 11, 2001

Photo By Spc. Laura Bigenho | Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, commanding general, Multi-National Corps-Iraq and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola, MNC-I command sergeant major, are joined by several others in a standing ovation. Odierno and Ciotola immediately stood and applauded after hearing one of the troops perform a live version of Darryl Worley's, "Have You Forgotten?" The performer, Spc. David Bishop, administration specialist, 3rd Signal Brigade, sang while performing the hit song on guitar during a Sept. 11 Remembrance Service at Al Faw Palace.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.11.2007

Story by Spc. Laura Bigenho 

28th Public Affairs Detachment

By Army Spc. Laura M. Bigenho
28th Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD -- Service members and Civilians of Multi-National Corps-Iraq joined the U.S. military for a Sept. 11, 2001 Remembrance Service at Al Faw Palace.

The ceremony marked the six-year anniversary of a series of coordinated terrorist attacks that took place in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes and intentionally crashed them into the twin towers, the Pentagon and a rural field – resulting in 2,993 known deaths.

Attendees were welcomed by music from the 1st Cavalry Division band and treated to a special piece of music by Army Spc. David Bishop, administration clerk, 3rd Signal Brigade.
Bishop received a standing ovation after singing Darryl Worley's "Have You Forgotten?" while playing guitar.

Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, commanding general, MNC-I, expressed the profound impact Sept. 11 has had on the United States and other nations.

"Everyone here today no doubt could tell me exactly where they were, what they were doing and what they were thinking as they watched the World Trade Centers topple, the Pentagon burning and the remains of United flight 93 smoldering in a remote Pennsylvania field," Odierno said. "It didn't matter what they believed, it didn't matter what the color of their skin was and it certainly didn't matter what religion they practiced; they were all killed indiscriminately by a brutal but methodical enemy."

Army Maj. Gen. Douglas Carver, Army chief of chaplains, was guest speaker for the ceremony.

Carver thanked the troops for their service and praised them for their dedication and efforts to make the world a safer place.

"Thank you for your service to this great nation and to the world," Carver said. "Regardless of what you read or hear in the media, our nation is very proud of you."

Odierno emphasized the importance of being in Iraq.

"By attacking us six years ago, (extremists like al-Qaida) sought to destroy the freedom and liberty we hold dear by instilling fear in the citizens of free societies like America," Odierno said. "We remain on the offensive against terrorists and extremists to protect the safety and freedom of citizens in free nations throughout the world."

Carver reminded the audience of the price being paid by those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Reflecting on a favorite scripture of his, Carver read John 15:13.

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends," he said. After sharing statistics of lives lost during Sept. 11 and since the war began, Carver closed by saying, "May we never forget."

• Date Taken: 09.11.2007
• Date Posted: 09.14.2007 01:03
• Story ID: 12329
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ