Photo By Spc. Elayseah Woodard-Hinton | The Sept. 11 Rememberance Service at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, concluded with a lighting...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Brooks Fletcher
20th Public Affairs Detachment
KUWAIT - We will remember ... a sentiment that cultivated the patriotic and memorial atmosphere throughout the U.S. Embassy and military bases in Kuwait on Sept. 11, 2008.
Kuwait U.S. Ambassador Deborah K. Jones led a contingent of 500 people, including Brig. Gens. William Frink and James Walton, commander, 311th Sustainment and 335th Signal Command, who gathered at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait in a commemoration of the fateful attacks on U.S. soil seven years ago.
The commemoration took the form of a Freedom Walk, a new national tradition that honors the victims of 9/11 and reaffirms the value of freedom.
The Freedom Walk consists of a solemn and silent walk that represents, in the words of Ambassador Jones, "The quiet resolve of the American people in the days after 9/11."
"No matter how quiet we are, as we pay our respects to those who lost their lives, the best tribute to their memory is that freedom will ring across America today as millions join us in this commemoration and freedom will ring around the world as we lend our support to all those who strive for their own freedom from terror and freedom to design their future," said Jones.
The Freedom Walkers' contigent was bolstered by the presence of over 200 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines from various units stationed in Kuwait.
Embassy staff and family members in Kuwait rounded out the participants.
With flags fluttering, the group stepped off to begin the 1.5-mile walk around the embassy's compound.
With them were the French ambassador and representatives from the Italian, British, Bangladeshi and Japanese embassies. The Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent four officials as a sign of solidarity and support.
Throughout Kuwait service members attended different memorials and ceremonies to honor and pay tribute to those who lost their lives or who lost a loved one during 9/11.
On Camp Buehring, a remembrance service was held at the post chapel.
Air Force Chaplain, Mark Ingles, led the ceremony and gave a memorial speech about the events of Sept. 11 and the people who sacrificed their lives to save the lives of others.
"On September 11, 2001, heroic Americans answered the call of duty, to save lives," said Ingles.
Capt. Lisa Northway, chaplain, attended the ceremony to pay tribute to those who have fallen and sacrificed to protect the freedoms of Americans. Although she did not give a sermon for this event, she said that Sept. 11 remembrance ceremonies are important, especially for younger Soldiers who were in school at that time, to remember the legacy in our country of being protectors and to safe guard the things we hold close.
Concurrently, the headquarters from 54th Signal Battalion, 160th Signal Brigade, a formation made up of approximately 200 Soldiers, also commemorated those who were affected during the events that took place on 9/11.
"It was our privilege to recognize the efforts of the folks who lived through 9/11 and to pay tribute to the heroes of 9/11; who never expected to do the kinds of things they did that day," said Col. Ron Stimeare, commander, 160th Signal Brigade.
Following a torch lighting, Soldiers from the signal brigade ran throughout Camp Arifjan's Zones 1 and 2.
"You could see the Soldiers' esprit de corps," said Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Thompson, 160th Signal Brigade. "Their morale was high for the day's event. The way the Soldiers circled the run formation was a testament of their morale and motivation out there today."
"It's not only important to recognize what occurred, but to also recognize the results," said Stimeare, who plans on making this an annual event for the brigade. "The heroes of 9/11 had no idea they would be called to do heroic acts."
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2008 06:00 |
| Story ID: | 24171 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 129 |
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