Sept. 11 memorial ceremony: Guantanamo remembers

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

09.19.2014

Story by Sgt. Christopher Vann 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba- September 11, 2001, is a day that will forever be etched in the minds of not only Americans but the world. Most people remember where they were at the exact moment they heard that a plane had flown into one of New York City’s Twin Towers. As the day went on, two things were clear: first that many innocent lives were lost, and second that this was the largest terrorist attack the U.S. had ever faced, forever changing our country’s consciousness and way of life.

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay held a ceremony remembering the lives lost on that day and those lost since then during the war on terror.

There was an atmospheric sorrow in the room where members of the GTMO community gathered to pay their respects. The ceremony’s color guard demonstrated a strong sense of pride as they held their flags during the entirety of the ceremony.

Navy Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, commander, JTF GTMO, was the guest speaker and delivered his "three degrees of separation" as it concerned 9/11.

Cozad spoke of a friend, Navy Lt. Scott Lamana, who lost his life when Flight 77 hit the Pentagon killing the crew and passengers aboard, as well as 125 military and civilians who worked there. He then went on to talk about his brother Mark, who also worked at the Pentagon but was on the opposite side of the building and how agonizing it was to have no communication with his brother for hours. He had no way of knowing if he too were a victim of the attack.

Finally, he spoke of his friend, a former pilot, Herb Schreiber, whom Cozad flew with earlier in his Navy career. Schreiber was scheduled to copilot one of the American Airlines planes Flight 11, that flew into the Twin Towers, but was “bumped” to allow another pilot who was in need of monthly flying hours.

“Thirteen years later, my ‘three degrees of separation’ continue to give me a deep appreciation for the meaning of the words resolve and sacrifice,” said Cozad. “Regardless of where you were or who you knew that day- Sept. 11 continues to reinforce as a solemn reminder to each of us why we are honor bound to serve.”

Senior Airman Stellah Biingi, a JTF Airman with the Base Engineer Emergency Force’s control section, reflected on the memories of that fateful day.

“Ceremonies like this make me remember where I was when it happened, makes me reflect on the lives that were lost, not only that day, but every day since in the global war on terrorism,” said Biingi. “It reminds me of the honor I have to be able to serve and protect my country and gives me pride in wearing the uniform.”

For Biingi, who was in high school in Maryland, it was not only sad but a frightful day as she remembered the fear she had for her family. “It was pretty scary because my parents worked in D.C. at the time and we couldn’t get a hold of them because everyone was calling once the plane hit the Pentagon,” she said.

As our nation continues to move forward, let us not forget the beautiful souls that passed, and the bravery of the police forces and firefighters that risked their lives to save as many lives as possible from meeting the same fate.

So as you take the time to render honors during the playing of the National Anthem, take a moment to reflect and remember the blood, sweat and tears that were shed that day. Let not their memories be forgotten.

• Date Taken: 09.19.2014
• Date Posted: 09.19.2014 11:10
• Story ID: 142703
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU