NAVAL AIR FACILITY MISAWA, Japan – Navy Misawa chief petty officer selectees conducted a 9/11 remembrance ceremony here, Sept. 11, 2012, in honor of the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The CPO selectees commemorated the anniversary by honoring those who perished in the attacks, as well as highlighting American resolve and unity.
“While the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were cowardly and deplorable, they also proved the resilience and indomitable spirit of the U.S. people,” said Chief (select) Aviation Structural Mechanic Ry Vansickle, who is currently deployed to Misawa with Patrol Squadron 8, and originally hails from Wichita, Kan. “I think taking time to commemorate the anniversary of those attacks helps reinforce our feelings of both loss and patriotism, which resonates strongly within U.S service members, and with our countrymen back home.”
During the ceremony, the sailors read former President George W. Bush’s address to the nation from Sept. 12, 2001, recited a poem entitled “United We Stand,” and observed a moment of silence while laying a commemorative wreath at the foot of the U.S. flagpole.
Despite being 11 years since the attacks occurred, Naval Air Facility Misawa Command Master Chief Scott Knorowski said that memories of 9/11 always strike an emotional chord with U.S. service members.
Without a doubt, this time of year always reinforces the perspective of what it truly means to serve your country,” said Knorowski, who originally hails from Jersey City, N.J. “Through sustained vigilance and faithful service to our country, we will continue to honor those lives lost from the tragic events of September 11, 2001.”
For more news from Naval Air Facility Misawa, visit https://www.cnic.navy.mil/misawa/index.htm or check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nafmisawa.