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Team Shaw remembers 9/11 in memorial ceremony

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  • By 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
  • 20th FIghter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Team Shaw members saluted in silence as a 26-vehicle convoy line full of high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles, first responders, Shaw, Sumter and McEntire Joint National Guard Base fire departments and explosive ordinance disposal response vehicles drove down Shaw Drive here Sept. 9, for a ceremony in remembrance of 9/11.

Hundreds of Team Shaw and local community members gathered at Memorial Lake Park here to remember the event and price that has been paid to keep America safe.

The remembrance ceremony had two formations of Airmen and Soldiers signifying military support and involvement since Sept. 11, 2001 and the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"This ceremony was important because it is a moment to stop and recognize those individuals who lost their lives 10 years ago, civilians, first responders and military," said Chief Master Sgt. Patrick Porter, ceremony coordinator.

Maj. Gen. Stephen Hoog, 9th Air Force commander, was the guest speaker.

"America is rebuilding from this tragic event and will continue to rebuild," said Hoog. "The legacy of this nation is stronger, safer and more resilient. We have born this responsibility and are humbled by the sacrifices of our fellow service members. The need for sacrifice is not yet over, so we must remain vigilant."

Concluding the 9/11 ceremony, Col. Charlie Moore, 20th Fighter Wing commander, accepted the U.S. Air Forces Central Fallen Airmen Memorial from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq.The 332nd AEW memorial will join the 9th AF/AFCENT memorial, which has been in place since June 2, 2010.

"Each one of the 32 names on this memorial is one who is gone from our midst," said Porter. "We cannot bring them back, but we will not forget them."

The 332nd AEW memorial represents Air Force Central Command Airmen who served in Iraq and made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. Each fallen Airman's name is engraved on an individual black plate, framed with silver so that it stands out. Above each name is the chrome Air Force functional badge to identify the career field of the Airman.

The original 332nd AEW memorial was unveiled at Balad Air Base Jan. 12, 2007 to honor fallen Airmen.

"This was a very personal ceremony for me," said Master Sgt. Keith Hicks, ceremony vehicle coordinator. "I was on temporary deployment to Bosnia during 9/11 and worked at the Pentagon for four years before coming to Shaw. It was amazing to see the responses of everyone who came to this."