USS Somerset Crew Remember 9/11 and Honor Flight 93 Heroes

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Connor Burns | USS Somerset (LPD 25) Commanding Officer Capt. Michel Brandt, a native of Oak Grove, Kentucky, Cmdr. Justin Bernard, a native of Aurora, Colorado and Lt. j.g. Andrew Falacci, a native of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, bow their heads in a moment of silence during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony on the flight deck, Sept. 11, 2023. The ceremony honored the 2,977 lives lost and the 40 heroes that perished on United Airlines Flight 93 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Somerset is one of three San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships named in honor of the lives lost on 9/11, and steel from mining equipment at the Flight 93 crash site was used in the ship’s keel. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Connor Burns)  

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

09.11.2023

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Evan Diaz and Petty Officer 1st Class Kelsey Eades

USS Somerset (LPD 25)

The crew of USS Somerset (LPD 25) held a remembrance ceremony on the flight deck aboard the ship to honor the lives lost on 9/11 and pay tribute to the 40 men and women that demonstrated courage through adversity on United Airlines Flight 93, Sept. 11, 2001.

United Airlines Flight 93 was hijacked during the terrorist attacks, but the passengers and crew prevented the plane from reaching its intended target, but it tragically crashed in Stoneycreek Township in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Somerset is one of three San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships named in honor of the lives lost on 9/11.

“Our ship is forever bound to the events of that historic day in Pennsylvania where 40 extraordinary men and women demonstrated courage through adversity in the fight to preserve the peace and security of our nation—down to the metal in the keel,” said Somerset Commanding Officer Capt. Michele Brandt, a native of Oak Grove, Kentucky. “USS Somerset sails to protect those same values, both near and far. Today we pause and remember those who we lost 22 years ago. We honor the heroic acts which unfolded and weep with the families directly effected by the tragedy.”

Somerset Sailors led the day of remembrance by ringing a bell and placing a flower for each of the 40 heroes onto a memorial table. Laid next to their photos were 39 red roses for the men and women, and one white rose for an unborn child.

“What began as an ordinary day ended as a moment forever to change the American outlook, but it never changed its spirit,” said Lt. j.g. Andrew Falacci, a native of Cape Cod, Massachusetts assigned to Somerset. “The acts of heroism by the 40 passengers of Flight 93 exemplify that sentiment. Today we honor those 40 passengers whose example we as a crew of this warship take so that Somerset may sail across this globe and remind us all of the possibilities of that American spirit.”

The Somerset crew was joined by family members of Andrew “Sonny” Garcia, one of the heroes of Flight 93.

“I think each time we feel closer and closer and closer,” said Dorothy Bachler, who was married to Garcia for 32 years. “It all started for us when we were at the commissioning, and we know what this ship means. So, there’s parts of Flight 93 memorialized throughout the ship, and for us to come here is so special. It’s hard for me to put into words. I’m so proud of this ship and all of you who serve on it and for the reasons that you serve on it.”

In addition to the shipboard ceremony each year, Somerset sends Sailors to Somerset County to participate in the Flight 93 National Memorial 9/11 commemoration and other outreach events. Their presence fosters the strong relationship with the Somerset County community and allows Sailors to share the significance of being assigned to Somerset.

Somerset’s captain ended her speech with a promise to uphold the values the 40 men and women had shown that day; honor, courage and commitment. Her closing remarks resonated throughout the crew as they are some of the last words spoken by a passenger and are now the motto of the ship.

“Onboard our ship and across the country the national ensign is lowered to half-mast as a sign of respect,” said Brandt. “Tomorrow, however, our flag will rise smartly to the top of the mast, a proud symbol of our resiliency and enduring commitment to fight those who threaten our way of life. Somerset will continue to echo the patriotic message sent by those 40 men and women we honor here today. We will not lay down in the face of terror. We will rise to the challenge, and we will continue to fight for peace, security and collective freedom around the world. Let’s Roll.”

Somerset is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship home ported in San Diego. The ship’s keel contains steel from a mining machine standing near the crash site in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Every deck of the ship contains mementos of Flight 93, including a dedicated passageway leading to the Memorial Room, which bears the names of the passengers.

• Date Taken: 09.11.2023
• Date Posted: 09.12.2023 10:00
• Story ID: 453214
• Location: NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO, CA, US
• Hometown: CAPE COD, MA, US
• Hometown: OAK GROVE, KY, US
• Hometown: SHANKSVILLE, PA, US