Homestead Air Reserve Base Remembers 9/11

  • Published
  • By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Felix A. Figueroa
  • Special Operations Command South
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Eight years ago, hijacker's boarded four American flights and crashed them into the Pentagon, The World Trade Center, and in a Pennsylvania field. Today Special Operations Command South along with the 482nd Fighter Wing, The U.S. Coast Guard, City of Homestead elected officials, and other law enforcement agencies, set aside time to pay respect and honor the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks during a memorial service held here.

"The innocent people who died that day were people like you and me. They started that fateful day by going to work and kissing their loved ones before leaving," said Pagan.
"They made plans; they followed their routines and then died a senseless death. We will never forget them, nor will we forget the courage of the men and women racing into the building to get them," Pagan said.

Pagan also reflected on the actions of the brave passengers of United Airlines 93 who fought until the death to ensure that another attack did not occur on American soil.

In Washington D.C. today President Barrack H. Obama placed a wreath at the Pentagon in memory of those who died there on Sept. 11, 2001. 

According to a CBS news report online, The president stated that today was a day we honor the dead and speak to the survivors and loved ones whose lives are irrevocably changed on that terrible day eight years ago. 

Pagan concluded his speech with a heartfelt thank you to the men and women who stood before him in uniform and was followed by the SOCSOUTH chaplain; Col. Kevin Turner who delivered a short prayer followed by a moment of silence. Everyone saluted the U.S. flag as it was lowered to half staff in remembrance of those who perished eight years ago. A bell was rung four times during the ceremony, each time signifying when an airplane crashed and innocent lives were lost. 

"We must never forget the innocent who died that day and we will never forget our comrades who have passed away in Iraq and Afghanistan," Pagan said.