Remembering the Fallen

Photo By 2nd Lt. Christian Ferrer Rivera | Chaplain (Major) Mark East, 1st MSC Deputy Command Chaplain, gives his prayer for all the members of the Armed Forces.  

PUERTO RICO

09.09.2016

Story by 2nd Lt. Christian Ferrer Rivera 

1st Mission Support Command

FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico - To commemorate those who lost their lives during the Sept. 11 attacks, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan, the 1st Mission Support Command , Puerto Rico National Guard and other federal and local agencies participated in a Remembrance Ceremony at the Post Chapel, Sept. 9.

Mr. Oscar Sotomayor Vicent, guest speaker for this events, is the Operations and Field Director for the PR Emergency Management Agency. Sotomayor was very instrumental after the 9/11 attacks. His division was called upon to conduct recovery missions at the Pentagon crash site. Mr. Sotomayor developed the Principles of Emergency Management, the baseline doctrine that was subsequently adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“This is a good time to reflect and remember those brave men and women who made the sacrifice to search and save people after those vicious attacks in New York and the Pentagon,” said Sotomayor.

In addition to honoring those who are no longer with us as a result of the events of September 11, the ceremony paid respects to members of the military and all first responders who work every day for the protection of freedom. It also provided an opportunity for military and civilian community members to reflect on the tragedies that occurred that day.

Chaplains from the U.S. Army Reserve, Army National Guard, and U.S. Navy gave their prayers and blessings for the First Responders, Armed Forces and affected Family members during this solemn event.

Chaplain (Major) Mark East, 1st MSC Deputy Command Chaplain, gave the following prayer for all the members of the Armed Forces:

“Today we are reminded by the sacrifice of others that duty, loyalty, respect, and selfless service are not just words that we live by. They are words by which we offer on the Altar our living and breathing.

We are thankful, Almighty God that you have called these values out of men and women who have joined the American Military to protect and defend Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

We believe, heavenly Father, that these are your self-evident truths. So, today we hold in prayer all those members of the Armed Forces who co-labor with you to defeat the enemies of life and freedom.

We ask that they may dwell beneath your wings and that you give them wisdom in the struggle, and that you expose the plans of the evil doers so that we may engage and destroy those plans so others may live.

We pray for our enemies today. We ask that you would stir in their heart the fruit of Your Spirit so that one day we may embrace as brothers and sisters.

We pray this in your name and in remembrance of the fallen. Amen.”

• Date Taken: 09.09.2016
• Date Posted: 09.10.2016 18:22
• Story ID: 209234
• Location: PR