TORII STATION, Japan – U.S. Army Col. Sheila A. Bryant, commander, 10th Regional Support Group, Sgt. Maj. Richard R. Caballero, operations sergeant major presided over the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony held here, Sept. 11. The traditional Five-Five-Five (three five-bell rings with a pause in between each volley) resonated in remembrance of the loss of firefighters, law enforcement personnel, military service members and civilians who died in the 2001 terrorist attack against the United States.
“This day marks the 12th anniversary of a time which will live in infamy when we caught a glimpse of the darkest side of humanity, a time when people made in the image of God and in the name of God committed atrocities against his children,” said Bryant.
Though we staggered at the loss of nearly 3,000 fellow Americans, the evil of that day was swallowed up and defeated by the good that gushed forth from the hearts of the American people and people from all over the world.
The purpose of the observance is to remember this act of unconscionable violence, to honor the lives lost, to honor all service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the war against terrorism. The ceremony is to remind us to never lose the resolve to confront terrorism and to always defend our nation, our friends, and way of life.
In closing the ceremony, Bryant quoted President George W. Bush, remarks from Nov. 11, 2001.
“Time is passing. Yet for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children.”