USARPAC 9/11 tribute - Inspired to serve

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Richardson | Sgt. 1st Class Ericka Perez talks about how she was inspired to join the Army because of the terrorists’ attack Sept. 11, 2001, during the USARPAC Sister-in-Arms Sept. 11 memorial tribute at Aliamanu Military Reservation Chapel, Sept. 11. During the tribute, the names and bios were read of the four female American Soldiers killed at the Pentagon during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists’ attacks.  

HONOLULU, HI, UNITED STATES

09.11.2014

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Maurice Smith 

U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs Office

ALIAMANU MILITARY RESERVATION, Hawaii – Soldiers from the U.S. Army Pacific gave special testimony during a tribute Thursday at the AMR Chapel, honoring the victims of 9/11 and telling how those tragic events inspired them to serve in the armed forces today.

The USARPAC Sisters- In-Arms program provided the platform and gave others the chance to publicly honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice 13 years ago or in Iraq or Afghanistan after that tragic day.

“[The program] provides a forum for all women to strengthen peer-to-peer bonds, enhance professional growth and provides mentorship and guidance by pairing a junior soldier or civilian with a successful senior leader,” explained Sgt Maj. Kanessa Trent, a USARPAC Sisters-in-Arms member.

“We are very proud of this initiative and appreciate your willingness to share your time with us, especially today as we remember those who were killed 13 years ago in the attacks on our nation,” Trent said.

The tribute began with a chronological timeline reflection of events throughout the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Audience members then stood up and paid tribute to four female Soldiers and a former USARPAC Soldier killed in the Pentagon that day reading each Soldier’s biography and outlining their service to the Army.

Soldiers and guests ended the event by viewing a list of names of each person killed on 9/11 and by pinning a red, white and blue ribbon to their uniform to honor them.

The most emotional part of the remembrance came as three Soldiers stood up and gave their testimony as to why they now serve in the military and how 9/11 inspired them to make that decision.

“I was sitting in my twelfth grade science class when, over the intercom, an announcement was made to turn on the TV,” said Sgt 1st Class Ericka Perez, a soldier from USARPAC who gave her testimony before the crowd.

Perez had been given a scholarship to attend college and didn’t plan on joining the military until she witnessed the nation under attack. Immediately after school, she drove to the nearest recruiting office to enlist and left for basic training the following day after her high school graduation, June 5, 2002.

“I was inspired to serve my country, and I will always remember where I was that day,” she said.

• Date Taken: 09.11.2014
• Date Posted: 09.15.2014 22:45
• Story ID: 142221
• Location: HONOLULU, HI, US