Patriot Day Observance Ceremony

Photo By Sgt. Breanna Weisenberger | Service members, first responders and members from the community gathered to share a moment of silence, remembrance and reflection for the victims of the 9/11 attacks at Jacksonville City Hall, Sept. 11.The Patriot Day Observance Ceremony is an event held annually with support from members of the Onslow Civic Affairs Committee and first responders in the local community. Each year, the ceremony takes place at the 9/11 Memorial Beam at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens at 8:15 AM, marking the time that the Twin Towers were hit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Breanna Weisenberger)  

JACKSONVILLE, NC, UNITED STATES

09.11.2018

Story by Lance Cpl. Ashley Gomez 

Marine Corps Installations East       

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Service members, first responders and members from the community gathered to share a moment of silence, remembrance and reflection for the victims of the 9/11 attacks at Jacksonville City Hall, Sept. 11.
The Patriot Day Observance Ceremony is an event held annually with support from members of the Onslow Civic Affairs Committee and first responders in the local community. Each year, the ceremony takes place at the 9/11 Memorial Beam at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens at 8:15 AM, marking the time that the Twin Towers were hit. Due to inclement weather, the event was held indoors this year.
“To me, this ceremony is important because it not only makes me remember all of those who came before me and their sacrifices, but it reminds me of the future and those that will come after me,” said Pvt. Kacey Simmons, student, Ground Supply School, MCB Camp Johnson. “With this ceremony, we’re honoring the sacrifices made that day by first responders.”
On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airlines. Two of the aircraft crashed in to the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon and the last crashed in a field in the outskirts of Shanksville, Pa. Of the 2,977 victims killed in the 9/11 attacks, 412 were emergency workers in New York City who responded to the World Trade Center.
“I can tell this ceremony means a lot to this community by how much work they put into it,” said Pvt. Angel Velez, student, Ground Supply School, Marine Corps Base Camp Johnson. “It’s a part of our history and we honor the fallen with this ceremony every year because it’s important that we never forget.”

On Dec. 18, 2001 Congress named the 11th day of September as Patriot Day. Later, in April 2009, President Barack Obama proclaimed Sept. 11 as National Day of Service and Remembrance.

• Date Taken: 09.11.2018
• Date Posted: 09.11.2018 12:30
• Story ID: 292207
• Location: JACKSONVILLE, NC, US