GRAFENWOEHR TRAINING AREA, Germany - U.S. and German service members, first responders, civilians and families all joined together to remember the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, at the Tower Barracks Parade Field in Grafenwoehr, Germany.
“We remember the families who have carried the loss of their loved ones ever since, and we pause to remember the firefighters, police officers, first responders, medical professionals, service members and citizens who showed extraordinary courage in the face of terror,” said Brig. Gen. Terry R. Tillis, commanding general of 7th Army Training Command. “For many serving in uniform now or in the past, 9/11 served as a defining moment. For some, it is a memory they carry with absolute clarity and for many, they don't speak of these feelings or the pain that we’ve endured.
“But today, we gather to remember.”
U.S. and German service members, civilians and members of the international community joined together here, Sept. 11, 2026, to remember what happened 25 years ago in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and the impacts still felt worldwide.
The ceremony was hosted by service members from the 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, and served as an opportunity for all gathered to remember everyone who has been affected by 9/11.
On Sept. 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 would tragically impact the North Tower of the World Trade Center, and at 9:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 175 would crash into the South Tower. The attack on the World Trade Center would claim the lives of 2,753 office workers, first responders, airline passengers, and others. At 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 would strike the west side of the Pentagon and would kill 184 military personnel, civilians and airline passengers. Finally, at 10:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 93 would crash into the Pennsylvania countryside claiming the lives of the 40 brave men and women who stormed the cockpit, preventing it from reaching its target in Washington D.C. The lives of 2,977 would be lost due to these attacks.
During the ceremony, the audience was told that before modern communication methods like phones and internet, when a firefighter had made the ultimate sacrifice, headquarters would transmit five bell strikes repeated in four series. This is a tradition known as “striking the four fives.” U.S. Army Maj. John Fraser, assigned to the 709th MP Bn., performed this tradition, striking the four fives during the ceremony to express respect to all those who fell 25 years ago and to honor their ultimate sacrifice.
Retired Sgt. 1st Class Angelo D. Aldridge and retired Staff Sgt. Michael Emrick of Veterans of Foreign Wars post 9334 and 10692 presented a wreath in remembrance of the brave men and women who perished Sept. 11, 2001.
“We gather here today on this 11th day of September to pause, to pay our deepest respect and honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Tillis. “To our military, our police, our firefighters, our medical professionals and all those who have worn the uniform and those who continue to wear the uniform in service to our freedoms and our way of life: thank you for honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice by your tremendous service to something that is much greater than yourself.”