Photo By Kelly Haertjens | Soldiers, Civilians and community members honored victims during the 25th anniversary...... read more read more
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. – Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11 attacks forever changed the nation, Rock Island Arsenal hosted a solemn and unifying remembrance ceremony honoring the lost lives, the heroes who stepped forward, and the generations of service members who have carried the mission since that day.
Soldiers, Civilians, Gold Star Families, veterans, community members, and distinguished guests gathered at RIA’s 9/11 Memorial Site at 8:46 a.m., the exact time the first plane struck the North Tower, underscoring the gravity and unity woven into the nation’s memory of the 2,977 Americans lost on that day.
Leaders from Army Sustainment Command, First Army, and other arsenal tenant organizations joined the community in marking the 25th anniversary with reverence and resolve**.** The ceremony included a flag presentation, wreath dedication, and a moment of silence. Students from All Saints Catholic 5th Grade Choir performed several songs, to include the National Anthem.
Maj. Gen. Eric Shirley, commanding general of Army Sustainment Command, reflected on the legacy of 9/11, the courage of first responders, the resilience of Families, and the service of Soldiers and Civilians who deployed in the years that followed.
“For me, as it is for many of you, the attacks were deeply personal,” said Shirley. “I was a captain. I was TDY in Tucson, Arizona, as an aide-de-camp. Flights were quickly grounded and I drove my boss to our Texas headquarters. As we drove, he reflected on how we may be initiating operations in the Middle East. It was clear to those of us in uniform on that day: America is now a nation at war.”
For RIA, the 25th anniversary is not only a remembrance, but also a reaffirmation. Many within the Arsenal workforce have spent their careers supporting operations born from that day, making the anniversary deeply personal. The installation continues to support the joint warfighter every day, carrying forward the commitment that surged across the nation in the aftermath of the attacks. The ceremony highlighted that enduring promise: to remain ready, responsive, and united in service.
“Serving on the ground with the Corps of Engineers in New York showed me the incredible resilience of our nation,” said Justine Barati, Army Sustainment Command. “Today at Rock Island Arsenal, carrying that same dedication forward isn’t just our job, it’s our enduring commitment to every warfighter we support.”
Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice, members of the RIA community carried and placed 250 bricks to create a permanent and lasting stone replica of the Twin Towers and the Pentagon on the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11.
During today’s ceremony, Shirley and Gold Star Family, Phil and Paula Steele, parents of Capt. Joshua Steele, placed a commemoration wreath between the two stone towers. The wreath symbolizes both the beauty and the brevity of life and evokes the memories of those who gave their final full measure of devotion.
"We are very honored to participate in this ceremony. We make a point to attend every year in honor of our son," said Paula Steele.
As the nation marks a quarter century since 9/11, RIA stands together, honoring the past, supporting the present, and preparing for the future.
"Being part of this ceremony as the new Davenport Fire Chief is an experience I will always remember. Sept. 11 is an event that resonates with everyone, but especially with those who work in public service," said Jeff VanderWiere, fire chief for the City of Davenport.
The ceremony concluded with the playing of Taps and a quote from President George W. Bush: “Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting Sept. 11. We will remember every rescuer who died in our honor. We will remember every Family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children.”
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2026 14:15 |
| Story ID: | 574457 |
| Location: | ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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