USAFWC & NELLIS NEWS

 

News

Airmen stand for 9/11 memorial

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum
  • 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

On Sept. 11, 2001, the United States experienced the largest attack on domestic soil since Pearl Harbor, causing the deaths of thousands of civilians and first responders.

To honor these Americans’ sacrifices, Airmen from Nellis Air Force Base stood post from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in thirty minute shifts at the base flagpole, Sept. 9.

“Today, Airmen from across the Wing who volunteered their time to stand at post and honor the American Flag, as well as the wreath that was made,” said Staff Sgt. Council Jones, 99th Security Forces Squadron desk sergeant. “By just giving up thirty minutes of their time to stand at parade rest and guard the flag and wreath in order to show our appreciation for the victims of 9/11.”

Sept. 11th was a defining moment in American History, and part of honoring those that were lost is remembering just how the event affected this country and its people.

“I was 11 years old and in fifth grade,” said Airman 1st Class Dominic Mendoza, 99th Logistics Readiness Squadron traffic management apprentice. “I woke up in the morning hearing my parents chattering about something on the TV that looked like a movie. It was the local news channel talking about a plane that had flown into one of the Twin Towers. As I watched the coverage it showed the second plane hitting the Twin Towers. I was in shock.

 

“Looking back at it now still brings back memories of the horrible event. The events that occurred during and after 9/11 changed everything. My heart still goes out to all the heroes that went out and rescued the many innocent lives out there. Being a part of the military now brings great pride to keeping the nation the way it is now.”

 

It is with stories such as this and the lives lost on 9/11 that Airmen from Nellis AFB set out to organize the memorial.

 

“It means a lot to put something like this together,” said Jones. “9/11 was a significant time in our country when we were brought to our knees, but we immediately came together. A lot of lives were lost and sacrifices made, so I feel that we owe it to those people to honor them every chance that we can. Especially on the day that they made those sacrifices.”

 

Videos