SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Service members and Department of the Army civilians from Fort Buchanan joined elected officials, federal and state law enforcement representatives and community members at the Puerto Rico Capitol on Sept. 11 to honor those killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks, commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and highlight the enduring partnership between Puerto Rico’s communities and the military.
The Puerto Rico Senate hosted the remembrance ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, where Ulises Marrero, Fort Buchanan acting garrison manager, represented the Army community on the island.
“From the headquarters of the U.S. Army in the Caribbean, our installation has supported for decades the readiness, mobilization and deployment of the forces our nation needs,” Marrero said. “After Sept. 11, that mission took on an even greater significance.”
During the ceremony, Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz presented Marrero with an official recognition of Fort Buchanan’s role as a readiness-enabling platform that supported military units training and mobilizing following the attacks.
The recognition, and the participation of military, government, law enforcement and community representatives in the ceremony, reflected the growing connection between Fort Buchanan and the community it serves. That relationship has expanded beyond installation boundaries through increased collaboration with local and federal government agencies, municipalities and community organizations.
Rivera Schatz reflected on the continuing human impact of the attacks.
“There are still empty chairs at the table, birthdays that were never celebrated, children who grew up without their fathers or mothers,” Rivera Schatz said. “And although time eases the pain, it certainly does not erase it, nor should it.”
He also emphasized Puerto Rico’s role in protecting the nation, describing the island as a U.S. “gateway and frontier” and recognizing the contributions of military, federal, state and emergency response organizations.
“Sept. 11 did not end that morning,” Rivera Schatz said. “The mission of protecting this nation continues every day, and it continues here in Puerto Rico.”
Twenty-five years after the attacks, Fort Buchanan continues serving as the Army’s home in the Caribbean, supporting training, logistics, sustainment and mobilization while strengthening relationships with the communities and institutions surrounding the installation.
“May this day remind us that freedom requires commitment, security requires vigilance, and national unity is our greatest strength,” Marrero said. “From Fort Buchanan, we reaffirm our commitment to continue working alongside government, our communities and our armed forces to keep our nation prepared and secure.”
Fort Buchanan supports approximately 15,000 military personnel, including active-duty Soldiers, Army Reserve, Puerto Rico National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve and Navy Reserve members. The installation’s mission is to enable readiness and facilitate the deployment of forces anytime, anywhere. Partnerships with neighboring communities enhance the installation’s ability to sustain its mission while contributing to the resilience of those communities.
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