MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Station residents honored the fallen heroes from 14 years ago during the 9/11 remembrance service at Marine Memorial Chapel aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 11, 2015.
In honor of the 14th anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks on the nation, some visited the memorial at ground zero, others attended memorial parades and services, or watched TV clips from 14 years ago. Station residents bowed their heads for a moment of silence and prayer.
U.S. Navy Lt. LaToya Zavala, acting command chaplain aboard the air station, said it is important to memorialize sacrifices so that Americans can keep the freedom they have.
“As brothers and sisters in the service we owe it to our nation. We owe it to the people that sacrificed that day. We owe it to them to remember,” said Zavala.
The service honored the fallen by singing, prayer and a moment of silence. Lance Cpl. Tony Carter Jr., a postal clerk with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, performed alongside several other service members. They sang an a cappella version of “Over My Head,” implementing a verse stating, “over my head, I hear freedom in the air; there must be a God somewhere.”
“Many times in life we struggle trying to find the perfect outlet for our pain or our sorrow,” said Carter. “To me, the universal outlet that no one can deny is music.”
Poetry inspired by the 9/11 events was read, followed by a moment of silence. A video of live newscasts from that dark day showed the hope that built up from the rubble at ground zero.
“Being in the service allowed me to feel like I was paying the proper respects to those who innocently and unsparingly sacrificed their lives on that day,” said Carter. “I believe that it is very important that we never forget what happened on that horrific day.”
A firefighter, a member of the Provost Marshal’s Office and a corpsman, all representing first responders of 9/11, rang a bell to respect the memories of those lost. As taps played, prayers of peace for our nation, family and military members filled the sanctuary.
“I will never forget what one Vietnam veteran said in a recorded interview,” said Zavala. “He said, ‘one of the most horrible things you can think about after you have sacrificed so much, is to think that you will be utterly forgotten.’ It was a profound statement and has impacted me and that is why we do this. We don’t want people to feel they will be forgotten for their sacrifice.”
Zavala said it’s important to remember because the events of that day greatly impacted the U.S. as a nation and as a military force today.
“We continue to be shaped by the residue of 9/11,” said Zavala. “Everyone who vows to support our military members needs to be aware and understand why we are where we are today. If we forget a part of our history then we lose a major part of our motivation and inspiration.”
In an invitation to the service, Zavala said the 9/11 event has not defined us, but “has added to our resolve and our fervor to defend and protect freedom and democracy around the world. We will never give up, and we will never forget.”