MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- A decade has passed since a regular Tuesday morning became one of the most memorable days in United States history.
Station members gathered on the parade deck outside Building 1 here Sunday to participate in the 6th annual Freedom Walk to honor and remember the thousands of U.S. citizens, firefighters, and police officers lost September 11, 2001.
This event gives the community the opportunity to reflect on the past together, said Thomas Durning, Marine Corps Community Services athletic director and co-coordinator for the event.
Many Americans can tell the story of where they were during the attacks on the nation 10 years ago.
“I was in my dorm room eating breakfast at the University of Northern Iowa when the first plane hit the tower,” said Durning. “I skipped class that morning to watch what was happening.”
Most stopped what they were doing in a trance to watch the event unfold.
“We gather this morning to remember a series of events, 106 minutes that fundamentally changed our world,” said Col. James C. Stewart, station commanding officer. “Today we walk to remember those thousands lost a decade ago due to terrorist attacks and to celebrate all who have defended the weak and aided the suffering around the world across many different fields, countries and continents.”
All in attendance stood in reverence when colors played and the flag was raised to half mast.
“I would ask this morning, as we have done each Sept. 11, that with every step we rededicate ourselves and our posterity to secure those freedoms and self determination for all people of the world,” said Stewart. “In the words immortalized by United Airlines passenger, Todd Beamer, ‘let’s roll!’”
Approximately 275 freedom walkers filled station streets following a fire truck with speakers playing a variety of 15 songs to the Marine Memorial Chapel.
Images from the tragedy were projected on a large screen as people entered the chapel and took their seats. The crowd sat in silence remembering what happened Sept. 11. Lt. Col. Thomas Frederick, Marine Aircraft Group 12 executive officer, was the event’s guest speaker.
During the memorial service, a bell was rung by Hironaka Yoshihiro, station firefighter, Staff Sgt. Bryce C. Good, military policeman and Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin Fowler, Corpsman, in memory of the 347 firefighters whose lives were lost Sept. 11.
According to the ceremony’s program, the bell symbolizes the fire department. In the past, as firefighters began their tour of duty, the bell signaled the beginning of duty day, alarms, and when a firefighter died in the line of duty. It was the mournful toll of the bell that solemnly announced a comrade’s passing.
The event impacted everyone differently, but it will continue to help the people of today become leaders for tomorrow.
“Our young people have answered the call in spades. They have come through and they are every bit as determined, patriotic, brave and tactically lethal as any generation in our history,” said Frederick. “I think history will look back on this particular group of men and women as the next great generation on the same level as the people of WWII, Vietnam and Korea.”
As the remembrance service came to an end, the sound of the bell reverberated in people’s ears as a reminder for the past and hope for the future.