The 104th Fighter Wing's 9/11 memorial ceremony, Sunday, September 10, was the culmination of a four-year project by the 104th Fire Department and Civil Engineering Squadron when they dedicated the 9/11 memorial they fabricated from an artifact from the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
Brig. Gen. James M. LeFavor, Commander of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, started the ceremony by telling his 9/11 story of being scrambled as an alert pilot in F-15s out of Otis Air National Guard Base.
“We watched the tower burn, and I’ll never forget the surreal feeling,” said LeFavor. “It was the most unthinkable thing to happen.”
“9/11 is the battle cry of the 21st Century,” said LeFavor as he also remembered Pearl Harbor and the Alamo.
The process started in 2013 when 104th FW firefighters Matthew Bail and Lt. Bob Barcomb reached out to the 9/11 Museum for an artifact to use to construct a memorial. The 104th FW was fortunate to receive the right rear wheel well of a 2001 Seagrave Ladder Truck, the last firefighter artifact available.
Maj. Jeremy J. Dugan, 104th Civil Engineering Squadron Commander, continued the ceremony by sharing his story of being a college student who had only just signed up for ROTC seeing the second hijacked plane being flown into the second tower on television.
“The people of New York and their surrounding communities were struck by tragedy,” said Dugan. “2763 men and women perished at the world trade center attack. This includes 343 firefighters and paramedics, for which this memorial is erected. These heroes entered into the twin towers to hasten evacuation and to rescue those office workers who were trapped on higher floors. They knew their mission was perilous and preserved and entered with the hope to rescue a few.”
The memorial was fabricated by firefighter Warren Allen, clear coated by Diamond Custom Coating, the foundation was prepared by Mr. Richard Scott and Mr. Peter Lupacchino of the structures shop, and the granite stone was engraved by Award One Engraving.
“As we dedicate this memorial in memory of the firefighters lost at the World Trade Center, I ask that you remain vigilant and ready to defend our great country,” said Dugan. “Be ready to fight against our enemies who want to see not only America fall but the idea of America falling”