Moody FD honors 9/11 heroes

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarrod Grammel
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Airmen from the Moody Fire Department held a ceremony Sept. 11, to pay tribute to everyday heroes, service members and families affected by terrorist attacks 11 years ago.

This year, a steel I-beam from World Trade Center 1, which Moody received in October 2011, was dedicated and placed in its new home in front of the Moody Fire Department.

"I think it is more about remembering the sacrifices of normal, everyday people," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Alan Justice, 23d Civil Engineer Squadron assistant fire chief for operations. "Everyone was being the hero that day. A lot of times we remember the firefighters and police officers who died that day, but there are countless stories of normal citizens helping normal citizens ... I think if you allow people to forget that then you are dishonoring them."

In October 2011, Paul Jockimo, a firefighter from Westchester, N.Y., drove 16 hours to hand-deliver the 111-pound I-beam from Tower 1. The I-beam was displayed in the 23d Wing's headquarters building until it was moved to its permanent location in front of the Moody Fire Department

"The steel I-beam is significant because it was presented to Moody to thank us and honor our support during all the events of 9/11 and in the Global War on Terrorism," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Felty, Moody AFB fire chief. "... This is the 11th year since the attacks, and I believe it will give folks a visual reminder of what happened on that day."

During the Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony, Justice said a few words about the attacks, the steel I-beam and responses by people all over the world.

Following the attacks, people and organizations across the globe pulled together to help. Hundreds of thousands of people showed support by displaying American flags outside their homes, donating money, giving blood and volunteering time. Within the first 48 hours, 36,000 units of blood were donated, and since Sept. 11, 2001, $1.4 billion has been donated to 9/11 charities.

"Throughout the 11 years since that tragic day, the outpouring of hope, kindness and humanity still carries on through the countless selfless acts of our public servants and military members as we continue to battle terrorism at home and abroad," Justice said during the remembrance speech.

"Today, we also want to highlight a piece of history that will forever be a reminder of the tragic events that happened 11 years ago - a piece of steel I-beam from Tower 1 of the World Trade Center," he added. "It sits on a pedestal of granite to forever honor the memory of those who perished."

Although the I-beam was a focus of this year's ceremony, Felty reinforced that the ceremony is to remember and honor not only victims of the attacks, but also the sacrifices made by service members during the war on terrorism.