BARNES AIR FORCE BASE, WESTFIELD, Mass. — To commemorate the lives lost during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the 104th Fighter Wing held a memorial ceremony and relay event on base Friday. Members of the wing used the time to not only remember the anniversary of 9/11 but also to reflect on the responsibility carried forward by those who now serve 25 years later.
The morning memorial ceremony, held in the main hangar, brought Airmen together for a formal remembrance that connected the events of that day with the wing’s mission today.
Master Sgt. Shane Coakley served as narrator for the ceremony, guiding attendees through the observance as the wing paused to remember those who lost their lives in the attacks and the service members, first responders and civilians whose actions shaped the nation’s response.
The ceremony included an invocation from Chaplain Tra'Vorus Weaver, a chaplain for the 104th Fighter Wing, followed by comments from Wing Command Chief Michael Gardner.
“September 11th is moving from lived experience into history,” Vaughn said. “But that does not mean its impact is fading.”
Gardner pointed to the everyday responsibilities of Airmen as evidence that the legacy of Sept. 11 remains present throughout the force.
“Look around this wing. Look at our mission. Look at the security measures we follow. Look at the way we train…every one of us has been shaped by [that fateful day]. And every one of us has inherited a responsibility from it,” Gardner said.
The base honor guard conducted the unfolding and folding of the American flag as Airman First Class Elijah Harris, a member of the 104th Fighter Wing honor guard, played Taps, adding a solemn moment of reflection.
A moment of silence followed, providing additional time for those present to pause and pay their respects to the lives lost a quarter of a century ago.
At 8:46 a.m., two F-35s launched in a timed scramble, observing the F-15s that were scrambled on Sept. 11, 2001.
The timing connected the wing’s present-day mission to the events which unfolded 25 years earlier, when the nation’s military forces responded to what was an unprecedented attack on American soil.
For Gardner, remembering the events on Sept. 11 is inseparable from the duties of everyday military service.
“For those of us who wear this uniform, I believe, ‘Never forget,’ means something even more,” Gardner said. “It means being ready, being disciplined, mastering our profession, taking care of one another and understanding that what we do here matters, even on the ordinary days. Because September 11th began as an ordinary day.” The observance continued into the afternoon with the 9/11 Memorial Relay, hosted by the Rising 6.
Staff Sgt. Amber Riddle, the 104th Fighter Wing's Rising 6 president, organized the event with co-organizers Senior Airman Morgan and Tech Sgt. Ryan Cox.
Ten teams of six Airmen participated in the relay, which was held outside on the base's main road and followed the route Airmen use for their fitness run. Each team member ran a half-mile, with every team completing a total of three miles.
The distance carried a significance beyond the competition.
“The Rising 6 hosted the 9/11 Memorial Relay to honor the lives lost and the sacrifices made on September 11, 2001,” Riddle said. “The three-mile relay was held in remembrance of Stephen Siller, a firefighter with the Fire Department of the City of New York, who ran nearly three miles through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel in his firefighting gear to answer the call at the World Trade Center.”
Siller never returned home that day, giving the ultimate sacrifice one in uniform can make, his life.
Riddle said the event was intended to bring the wing together not only to remember those who died but also to recognize those who responded to the calls of service.
“We wanted to bring the wing together to remember those we lost, honor those who courageously responded, and reflect on the lasting impact of September 11,” Riddle said.
The relay provided Airmen another opportunity to participate directly in the day’s 25th anniversary remembrance while highlighting teamwork and the shared duties military services represents to those both in and out of the uniform. Dozens of wing members not participating in the run cheered on their fellow Airman, underscoring the idea that every service member has a role in ensuring the completion of a mission and supporting one another is a collective effort.
At the end of the competition, the Munitions team claimed first place, followed by Services in second and Finance in third.
The day’s events offered two distinct ways for the wing to remember Sept. 11, a contemplative ceremony honoring those whose lives were lost and a team-based event bringing Airmen together through action.
Gardner emphasized that the responsibility of the wing members stretches beyond just one day of reflection.
“Every morning that an Airman walks on this base, every time a jet takes off, every time we stand a post, every time we train for the mission, every time we deploy, and every time we put on this uniform, we carry forward a promise made by a nation 25 years ago," Gardner said.
As time goes on, and the anniversary moves farther from the experiences of those who lived through it, the wing’s observance serves as an important reminder that remembrance is not limited to looking backward.
“Every time we put on this uniform, we not only uphold a healing nation’s promise to never forget; we’re committing to do whatever it takes to ensure it never happens again,” Gardner said. “So stand tall and be proud. You represent our nation’s best.”