Fort Irwin holds 9/11 Memorial Ceremony, works toward local memorial completion

Photo By Guy Volb | Fort Irwin's Pentagon-shaped 9/11 Memorial will include steel from the World Trade Center surrounded by a reflecting pool and walls specific to the Pentagon, the Twin Towers, and Flight 93 which crashed in a Pennsylvania field.  

FORT IRWIN, CA, UNITED STATES

09.17.2014

Story by Guy Volb 

National Training Center and Fort Irwin

Hundreds of Fort Irwin residents and guests gathered near the communities’ town center Sept. 11, 2014, to hold its 9/11 Memorial Wreath Laying and Remembrance Ceremony.

The event, which included acceptance of F.D.N.Y. Ladder 152 -- one of just three remaining fire trucks that responded to the World Trade Center attack 13 years ago – was also highlighted by “Fueled by the Fallen” Angel Cars honoring those who lost their lives, plus a piece of the steel recovered from “ground zero.” The fire truck and steal will be included in a local memorial currently planned for the installation.

“What started as an ordinary morning in September ended as a horrible day in world history,” remembered Fort Irwin Fire Chief Ray Smith in a speech at the ceremony. “Across the country, we watched in horror as the towers collapsed. We listened in shock to the phone calls of the passengers on board the hijacked airplanes and wept as we heard them tell their wives, daughters, husbands and sons they loved them one last time.

“However, feelings of pride and unity rose from the flames,” he continued. “We read the heroic stories and watched with pride as ordinary citizens went above and beyond the call of duty to help their fellow Americans. As horrible as 9/11 was, it reminded us of what makes this country so great.”

Col. Jon Braga, garrison commander and keynote speaker, agreed.

“This anniversary reminds us that even the worst of tragedies give way to brighter days,” he said. “So while painful as this date is and always will be, it provides us with a very important less, that no single event can take away who we are or determine our future as a nation. Instead, we continue to focus on the values that we believe in, holding firmly, remaining that example of freedom and opportunity recognized around the world.”

It’s hoped the local memorial will ensure those who work and live here are reminded of those values, and the sacrifices made by those protecting our freedoms.

The ladder truck was originally stationed in Queens, New York at Station 152. After the World Trade Center was hit, it was called to the scene.

The truck was used to put out the continuous re-igniting fires that burned for 99 days after the attack and continued to work rescue and firefighting until February 2002.

The “Fueled by the Fallen” Angel Cars were the brainchild of Kevyn Major Howard, better known as Rafterman from Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket.”

“I was watching the nightly news as they announced that 12 died this day and seven that day,” he said. “I woke up one morning and challenge myself to name just one person who has died for my freedom, and I couldn’t.”

He started the “Fueled by the Fallen,” a non-profit organization, to create a memorial that would get the attention of all Americans.

“The reason we chose race cars is because you can get the attention of a 2 year old or a 92 year old with one,” he said.

Howard feels if he can get people to remember just one of the fallen after viewing the cars, that he will have accomplished his mission.

The Pentagon-shaped memorial will include steel from the World Trade Center surrounded by a reflecting pool and walls specific to the Pentagon, the Twin Towers, and Flight 93 which crashed in a Pennsylvania field. In addition, a special glass enclosure will house FDNY Ladder Truck 152.

The memorial is to be built through charitable donations. For more information, visit www.fortirwin911memorial.org.

• Date Taken: 09.17.2014
• Date Posted: 09.18.2014 13:27
• Story ID: 142551
• Location: FORT IRWIN, CA, US