Photo By Mark Schauer | U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground Commander Col. Charles Seaberry (right) speaks to...... read more read more
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U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) remembered the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks in a two-mile Patriot Day walk/ruck/run on September 9.
Dozens of YPG personnel participated in the event in the quiet early morning hours.
In remarks to open the race, YPG Commander Col. Charles Seaberry reflected upon the losses of that grim day and the unity the tragedy inspired among all Americans.
“It’s important to remember what happened to us, but more importantly what happened afterwards,” he said. “It’s more important to showcase how our citizens came together in a united front to protect our country.”
Seaberry gave particular credit to the heroism displayed by the more than 400 police officers and fire fighters killed in a valiant effort to save others that day.
“Instead of running away, our firefighters and policemen ran to support those in need. This run is an opportunity to reflect on that, particularly for those young Soldiers who weren’t born yet during that time.”
One such Soldier was Spec. Nicholas Venus of the YPG Health Clinic, who finished the race first.
“Americans are not just an idea, but a group of people that have always excelled at whatever they put their minds to,” said Venus. “The men and women that died on 9/11 were some of the most amazing of all. The first responders in particular that climbed knowing that could be it for them and went anyways is true courage.”
YPG Command Sgt. Maj. Joshua Holthus likewise took Seaberry’s call for remembrance to heart.
“As I ran I replayed where I was on 9/11 and some of the actions that occurred in my life afterwards,” Holthus said. “The younger guys don’t have that. It spurs on the younger generation talking to the older guys, learning some lessons without having to live it and maybe gaining some perspective on why we do things the way we do.”
When American forces were targeted with improvised explosive devices by insurgents during the worst years in Iraq and Afghanistan, YPG personnel worked 60- and 70-hour weeks, in some years on every day except Christmas, to rapidly test and field jamming devices for remote triggers and new armored vehicles with blast-diffusing V-shaped hulls. Their efforts saved the lives of thousands of U.S. Soldiers, and the limbs of thousands more.
During those same years, guided artillery projectiles tested at YPG were fielded, allowing the punishing power of the King of Battle to be delivered with near pinpoint accuracy, sparing civilians while taking the fight directly to the enemy’s hideaways.
| Date Taken: | 09.09.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2026 16:41 |
| Story ID: | 574205 |
| Location: | YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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