Photo By Sgt. April York | Col. Omar Jones IV (middle), commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry...... read more read more
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PUEBLO, Colo. – Rays of sunlight broke through the clouds and peeked over the Main Street Bridge to shine during a tribute ceremony for the fallen heroes of Sept. 11, 2001, hosted by The Center for American Values at the Historic Arkansas River Walk in Pueblo, Sept. 11.
Col. Omar Jones IV, commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, joined veterans, Pueblo City representatives, and local residents in remembering the events of 9/11.
“We are here so we never forget,” Jones said. “It’s important for the families of the great Americans we lost that day to know that we are never going to forget their sacrifice, who they were and the contributions they made.
“I was at the Pentagon when it got hit, and it is a very personal experience for me having actually gone through the attack,” Jones said. “Fortunately, for me and my team, we were all able to evacuate the building safely.”
The ceremony consisted of posting and retiring the Colors, speeches, wreath laying, a volley from a firing squad and the ringing of the firemen’s bell.
In May 2012, a steel beam from Ground Zero was unveiled as part of the 9/11 memorial just outside the steps of The Center for American Values.
According to Trish Rooney, manager, The Center for American Values, the 9/11 tribute ceremony is an annual event held in Pueblo. Previously it was held at Gateway Park, but this year it was held outside the center.
Jones, along with representatives from the Pueblo City Fire department, Pueblo City Police Department, Pueblo County Sheriffs Office, Pueblo Veterans Ritual Team, Home of Heroes Marine Corps League, American Legions Post No. 2, Pueblo West Fire Department, Colorado Patriot Guard, Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum and the American GI Forum men’s and women’s chapters laid wreathes of flowers at the base of the memorial in memory of all the men and women who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks.
Residents viewed the ceremony in silence from across the river. The simplicity and emotion of the ceremony made it memorable.
“It’s events like these that plant the seed in our youth,” Rooney said. “So that we remain great as a country, we have to have them focused on honor, integrity and patriotism.”
The ceremony ended with a special signal from a fireman’s bell to honor the fallen of 9/11.
“In the past, as firefighters began their tour of duty, it was the bell that signified the beginning of the day’s shift,” said Christopher Riley, Fire Chief, City of Pueblo. “Throughout the day and night each alarm was sounded by a bell, which summoned these brave souls to fight fires and to place their lives in jeopardy for the good of their fellow citizens. When a fire fighter died in the line of duty, it was the mournful toll of the bell that solemnly announced a comrades passing.
“These brave souls [9/11 victims] have done their duty, a special signal of three rings, three times each represents the end of our comrades duties. To those that have selflessly given up their lives for the good of their fellow man, their task complete, their duties well done. To our comrades—their last alarm.”
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2012 18:33 |
| Story ID: | 94764 |
| Location: | PUEBLO, CO, US |
| Web Views: | 204 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Veterans pay tribute to 9/11 fallen, by SGT April York, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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