By: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Trey Hutcheson
NEW YORK – As Sailors aboard the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) arrived to participate in Veterans Week New York City 2018, six Sailors took advantage of the opportunity to do something few military members get a chance to do during their careers—re-enlist at the 9/11 Memorial.
The terrorist attacks that took place Sept. 11, 2001, were a driving force for many current service members to join the military.
“I joined the Navy right after 9/11, so it’s a big reason why I joined the military,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Kevin Prekopa. “You didn’t need to be from New York City to feel the effects of what those attacks had on people, and for me it was the final straw for me to enlist.”
Just standing at the memorial evoked emotions from Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Brandon Kirkorian.
“I’m a little upset when I think about Ground Zero,” said Kirkorian. “The fact that people decided to attack this country and kill innocent civilians disturbs me greatly. It was an eye opener to me that not everyone is good and that evil does exist in this world.”
Kirkorian re-enlisted to pursue his career and to continue to acquire skills that will benefit him for years to come. Participating in the ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial offered him a way to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks 17 years ago.
“It’s an Honor to re-enlist at Ground Zero,” said Kirkorian. “I wanted to do it for all the people that lost their lives that fateful day. It was emotional for me. It touched my heart thinking about not only what this means for me and my career, but thinking about all the lost lives. It’s an emotional location to say the least.”
Prekopa and Kirkorain both agreed that this re-enlistment will always be special for them as Ground Zero isn’t just important to service members and New Yorkers, but to the entire nation.
Oak Hill is participating in Veterans Week New York City 2018 to honor the service of all our nation’s veterans.