Never Forgotten: U.S. Army Japan conducts September 11th Memorial Run and Ceremony

Photo By Yuichi Imada | David Wykes, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) District 2 Senior Vice Commander, presented the wreath to Col. William Johnson and Command Sgt. Maj. Rosalba Dumont-Carrion, United States Army Garrison Japan command team. The wreath was dedicated in remembrance of all who have fallen on Sept. 11, 2001 and since, during the global war on terrorism.  

CAMP ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

09.11.2015

Story by Randall Baucom 

U.S. Army Garrison - Japan

CAMP ZAMA, Japan- As if Mother Nature herself intervened, the clouds from Typhoon Etau parted to allow the Army in Japan to remember and memorialize the tragic loss of life that occurred in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C., 14 years ago today.

With the installation’s American flag flying at half-staff, Soldiers, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members, and family members gathered here at Yano Field in the early morning of Sept. 11, 2015. Wearing runner bibs with the number 911 printed on them, a few of the participants took the time to write the name of someone who lost their life Sept. 11, 2001.

The Deputy Commander for U.S. Army Japan addressed the group saying, “This run today not only memorializes those that were lost on Sept. 11, 2001, it also commemorates the more than one million Soldiers that have joined our ranks since then to protect our nation in a time of war,” said Col. Stephen Grabski. “Some of you are among that group.”

Following the three kilometer run, the units gathered into the Yano Fitness Center gymnasium for a formal wreath presentation ceremony. David Wykes, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) District 2 Senior Vice Commander, presented the wreath to Col. William Johnson and Command Sgt. Maj. Rosalba Dumont-Carrion, United States Army Garrison Japan command team. The wreath was dedicated in remembrance of all who have fallen on Sept. 11, 2001 and since, during the global war on terrorism.

Chief William Moore, USAG Japan’s Regional Fire Chief, started the narrative of the events that started that terrible day. “At 0846 pedestrians on the streets of New York City watched in disbelief as the terrorists flew the aircraft into the North Tower of the World Trade Center killing all ninety-two persons on board and more than one thousand three hundred unsuspecting people in the tower,” Moore said. “At first the media and most Americans thought it was a tragic accident. We just could not believe anyone could have such hatred. Soon, we would realize, terrorists had declared war on America and those on Flight 11 and in the North Tower were the first casualties.”

Sgt. Nathaniel Nelson, from the 88th Military Police Detachment, continued the narrative. “The world watched the World Trade Center’s North Tower spewing smoke, terrorists crashed the aircraft into the South Tower, killing all sixty-five persons on board and more than six hundred people in the tower,” said Nelson. “At 1005, the South Tower collapsed. Twenty-three minutes later, the North Tower collapsed. Four hundred eleven firefighters, policemen, rescue workers and caregivers – many who had raced into the towers to rescue the perishing or render aid to those injured on the streets below – selflessly died in the performance of their duties.”


Nelson was followed by Pfc. Marcisha Bennet, USAG Japan Chaplain Assistant. “At 0937, a third aircraft crashed into the West side of the Pentagon at a speed of 530 miles per hour, killing all 65 persons on board and 125 persons in the Pentagon – 55 active duty military and seventy civilians,” said Bennet. “The enemy had taken its first shot, but we would return fire. If they were willing to die for their cause, we would accommodate them.”

Spc. Shekira Lovett, a Preventive Medicine Specialist for U.S. Army Medical Department Activities-Japan, summed up the narrative. “At 1002, just 20 minutes from its intended target – either the Nation’s Capital Building or the White House – the 33 civilians on board Flight 93 became the first Americans to strike a blow against the enemy in the global war on terrorism,” said Lovett. “On a lonely field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, they willingly laid down their lives in the cause of freedom, justice and truth.”

The last speaker was Col. William Johnson, Commander of USAG Japan. “An unknown author defined a veteran as someone who writes a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including their lives… In essence, each of you here today have in some way drafted that blank check and have shares in the commitment to defend our Nation, our freedom, and our way of life. I am proud to serve with each and every one of you,” said Johnson. “Let today’s ceremony serve not only as a remembrance of the worst terrorist attack on our Nation, but also as a tribute to those who answer the call to arms to defend our Nation and her people in their hour of need.”

A ceremonial fire house bell was rung by USAG Japan’s Deputy Fire Chief Kazuo Makino after each speaker. The ringing of the bell is an age-old tradition of the fire services that dates back more than 150 years. The tradition reflects respect and honor to those who gave their lives in service of their duties.

The somber playing of ‘Taps’ by Staff Sgt. Christopher Beery, a trumpeter from the U.S. Army Japan Band, concluded the ceremony.

• Date Taken: 09.11.2015
• Date Posted: 09.11.2015 03:50
• Story ID: 175669
• Location: CAMP ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JP