Fort Polk remembers events of 9/11

Photo By Patricia Dubiel | Brig. Gen. Patrick D. Frank talks about the events of 9/11, the Warrior Spirit and remembering the fallen and their families during a remembrance ceremony held at the Fort Polk Fire Station Sept. 11.  

FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, UNITED STATES

09.13.2018

Story by Patricia Dubiel 

Fort Polk Public Affairs Office

During a remembrance ceremony held later that day at the Fort Polk Fire Station, firefighter Matthew Chapman struck a bell 10 times to honor all the fallen from those events of 17 years ago, and Chap. (Lt. Col.) Derrick Riggs, installation chaplain, offered the invocation.
Brig. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, commanding general, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk and guest speaker for the ceremony, said it was proper to host the event at the fire station among some of Fort Polk’s first responders, and that JRTC and Fort Polk’s motto of “Forging the Warrior Spirit” was perhaps the most fitting way to describe the heroic actions of the nation, first responders, U.S. Army and the Soldiers and Families of Fort Polk since those attacks.
“On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, as black smoke poured from the twin towers, the selfless actions of the police, firemen and paramedics demonstrated the Warrior Ethos — running into danger to protect fellow American citizens and ensure nobody was left behind,” said Frank. “(Also), thanks to the brave act of 40 passengers on Flight 93, the attack on the U.S. Capitol was halted. All Americans recognize the courage of their fellow citizens — not Soldiers, but everyday citizens — on a plane who stood up for our nation and said, ‘Let’s roll,’ a rallying cry for thousands of Soldiers that have since deployed over 17 years of combat.”
Frank talked about the Soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines that also demonstrated the Warrior Spirit by running into the Pentagon to rescue fellow service members and civilians.
“By mid morning, as we all felt the devastating loss of 2,977 innocent Americans, Fort Polk Soldiers and Families stepped forward to be on point for our nation,” he said. Frank also thanked Fort Polk’s neighboring communities for their unwavering support, and community and installation first responders that help keep the installation population safe.
The first line of defense in the fight against terrorism began with those first responders at Ground Zero, said Frank.
“Our heroic first responders (on the scene in New York and the Pentagon) would pass the fight to those of us in camouflage as our nation fights terrorists in multiple regions around the globe,” he said. “Fort Polk, with the critical mission of the JRTC, would ensure American Soldiers were prepared for the rigors of combat. The JRTC mission of forging the Warrior Spirit, would ensure brigades from the 10th Mountain Division and the 101st Airborne Division would seize initial objectives in Afghanistan and drive Al-Qaida from the country; that paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division would defeat Taliban fighters and secure the first free election in Afghanistan; and that in Iraq, U.S. Soldiers would rapidly defeat the conventional forces of Saddam Hussein.”
Frank also acknowledged Fort Polk units currently deployed overseas, and thanked guests for attending the ceremony.
“Seventeen years ago, all our lives were changed on Sept. 11,” he said. “May we never forget how special it is to live in a country that, in our darkest hour, had citizens, first responders and Soldiers all forging the Warrior Spirit for our nation.”
An official installation wreath was presented for display by Capt. Alex Rivera of Fort Polk’s Directorate of Emergency Services Fire Department, Fort Polk NCO of the Year Staff Sgt. Stephan Brazzel and Soldier of the Year Spc. Tristan Poston.

• Date Taken: 09.13.2018
• Date Posted: 09.13.2018 16:07
• Story ID: 292698
• Location: FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, US