CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Soldiers and civilians paid their respects to those who were killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Sept 11. The ceremony was also a time to pay homage to the 1, 257 troops killed in Afghanistan and the 4,404 troops killed in Iraq.
In his speech, Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Dowd, commanding general of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, encouraged troops and family members to keep their resolve as they continue to focus on the Army’s missions. “For us - Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and civilians, it remains close to our hearts as we remain engaged in this fight,” he said. “In respect to those who still bear scars, I say have faith. Have faith in each other ... Have faith in our ability to overcome hate with tolerance, and chaos with order,” he said.
Dowd also emphasized the 1st TSC’s focus has not wavered in the past nine years. “Whether it’s sending humanitarian aid around the world, or day-to-day business, or remembering those no longer with us, we continue to work together to make the mission happen-whatever that mission might be,” he said.
Spc. Tristan Reese, from Nashville, Tenn., attended the ceremony. He gave a candid account of his initial reaction at the time of the attacks “I was in high school, in a leadership class, and when I heard, I was scared,” he said. Now, nine years later he is a Soldier with the 1st Sustainment Brigade deployed here.
The medical and fire emergency responders who work here were also recognized in the ceremony. Battalion Chief Kevin Carey, from Meridian, Miss., has worked with Emergency Response Services on Camp Arifjan for six years. He said taking time to remember those who died “makes us appreciate why we’re all here.”
Carey added that the 9/11 attacks have strengthened the resolve of first responders. “I don’t think that it has changed anyone’s mind negatively. I think it only reinforced why we joined the fire or medical service.”
Dowd also emphasized how troops and Americans have showed strength in the face of 9/11. “Despite this horrific event, good happened that day too. The courage and sacrifice demonstrated by so many Americans was inspiring.”