Photo By Staff Sgt. Matthew Ard | Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division (Air...... read more read more
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Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Matthew Ard, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – Soldiers and families gathered indoors at division headquarters on Fort Campbell on Sept. 11 for a wreath-laying ceremony honoring the more than 2,500 people who were tragically killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The ceremony, which was moved indoors due to weather conditions, also honored the more than 650 Soldiers from the post who lost their lives in overseas operations since the attacks occurred.
Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, the commanding general of the 101st and Fort Campbell, spoke about the horrific events of that day.
“I know everyone here remembers exactly where they were on that day,” he said.
As the events of 9/11 fade deeper into the past, the Soldiers and families of Fort Campbell are reminded by the commanding general that, to him and many others here, the events are still significant.
“At times it seems that the public’s memories of 9/11 have faded; or worse, there are those that attempt to completely forget or acknowledge that it ever happened,” said Volesky. “But for those that lost someone, or families that lost Soldiers in subsequent operations in Afghanistan, their feelings and memories run deep.”
Volesky highlighted the importance of maintaining a tradition of remembrance in order to keep the events of 9/11 fresh in people’s minds.
“That is why this ceremony is so important – so we never forget what happened on that day and what it meant not only to our country then, but what it continues to represent to us today,” Volesky said.
Nearly every unit of Fort Campbell has contributed to the fight since operations began, he said.
Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 5th Special Forces Group, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, 86th Combat Support Hospital, 52nd Ordinance Group (EOD), as well as individual augmentees and units from across the installation have supported the fight against America’s enemies since this war began, Volesky said.
“They have always fought with determination to protect America’s citizens and serve as the living example of America’s resolve,” said the commanding general.
Battle-hardened himself, Volesky also reinforced his own resolve and guaranteed that he and the 101st will never forget the sacrifices that have been made since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“But the safety and freedoms defended by these great Americans has not come without cost. Over the past 14 years, Fort Campbell has lost more than 650 Soldiers,” Volesky said.
“So I’d ask you to please keep our Gold Star Families in your thoughts and prayers because we can never repay them for their sacrifice.”
He also acknowledged the community in and around Fort Campbell for their unwavering support for the Fort Campbell Soldiers.
“The resolve of the Fort Campbell community over the last 14 years has been as great as our Soldiers’,” Volesky said. “Nothing we have accomplished would have been possible without this community’s constant love and support.”
After Volesky completed his remarks, he and Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory F. Nowak, the 101st’s division command sergeant major, walked a yellow-flowered wreath to a static display of the Soldier’s Cross near the opening of the rotunda inside McAuliffe Hall where they, and everyone in attendance, observed a moment of silence.
The ceremony concluded with the playing of taps.
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2015 16:32 |
| Story ID: | 176130 |
| Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 61 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 101st, Fort Campbell remember 9/11, by SGM Nathan Hoskins, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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