SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Sixteen years ago on Sept. 11, 2001, America was deliberately and viciously attacked without warning or precedents.
A total of 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners and despicably took the lives of thousands of men, women, and children.
On the most recent anniversary, Sept. 11, 2017, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, and Americans across the United States took time to pay homage to those who lost their lives.
The 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, hosted by the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron and the 4th Security Forces Squadron, featured narratives recounting the attack, a bell-ringing ceremony, moment of silence, 21-gun salute, and slide show. Approximately 100 base members came to pay their respects.
During a speech, Col. Christopher Sage, 4th Fighter Wing commander, reminisced about where he was during the attack.
“I was still at home when a friend called and told me to turn on the TV. Shortly after I began to watch, the second plane hit the South Tower of the World Trade Center,” Sage said. “It was at that moment that I fell to my knees and realized that this was not an accident, we were under attack.”
Sage then knew he had to put his plans to separate from the Air Force on hold, and continue to fight for his country.
With each passing day, Sage remembers why he reenlisted.
“We serve to defend our country and its ideals. We serve to protect freedom and liberty and defend humanity,” said Sage. “As we remember the tragic events that took place on this day 16 years ago, we are reminded of why we are in this fight in the first place. We are reminded of what we stand for.”
According to Sean Quinby, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief, the world has changed since the attacks on 9/11.
“Do you remember a world when September 11th was just another day? It's hard to believe, but today marks the 16th anniversary,” Quinby said. “It's been 16 years since a perfect blue sky morning turned into the blackest of nights. What began as an ordinary day resulted in the loss of 2,977 citizens from over 90 countries.”
Since the attack, 6,897 Airmen, Soldiers, Marines, and Sailors payed the ultimate price while participating in operations across the globe, according to Quinby.
All those sacrifices are not lost in vain. Those who serve remember our fallen and continue to fight to vanquish our enemies, in hopes of preventing another attack on America, its people, ideals, and freedoms.
"Sept. 11 brought our military into a new and continuous fight," said Maj. Johnpaul Adrian, 4th Security Forces Squadron commander. "Let us not forget to look back, remember, learn, and appreciate all which has gotten us to where we are today."
We will never forget all those who lost their lives during the attacks, to save others, and to prevent these atrocities from happening again.
We will never forget the cowardly acts committed against the United States on Sept. 11, 2001.
We will never cease to fight those with terrorist ideals.
We are the United States of America and we will prevail.