Moody remembers 9/11 victims, responders

  • Published
  • By Airman Alexis Grotz
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Twelve years ago, terrorists hijacked and crashed two airplanes into the World Trade Center towers, one into the Pentagon, and a fourth in a field outside of Shanksville, Pa.

Airmen from the Moody Air Force Base, Ga., fire department held a ceremony here, Sept. 11, to remember the men and women affected by the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Of the 2,945 people who were killed that day, 343 were emergency responders and 60 were port authority New York police officers.

"We should all have pride in knowing our fellow Americans gave their lives to save others," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Patrick Albritton, 23d Civil Engineer Squadron commander.

During the ceremony, Airmen from the fire department listened to how the events from that day affected them as military members.

"As members of the military, we have pledges to our nation," said Albritton. "In our oath, we state we will defend our constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, and that we are prepared to give our lives at their expense."

People from all over the United States were affected, and an Airman from Moody shared his story about his experiences that day.

"I remember being in my 10th-grade gym class in high school," said Staff Sgt. Eric Barlow, 23d CES emergency communications center NCO in charge. "We were playing basketball when my gym teacher set up a table and then carried over a TV. Everybody started to crowd around while we were told by the coach what was going on."

Knowing America was going to war, many brave men and women made a choice to help defend and protect the United States.

"As I joined the Air Force and became a firefighter, the day [Sept. 11] impacted me so much more," said Barlow. "Three hundred forty-three firefighters lost their lives that day and for me now as a firefighter, it makes me appreciate what I do a little more."

Although 12 years have come and gone, Barlow says his memory of that day and all of his lost "brothers" will forever be remembered.

"Time has passed," said Barlow. "There are smaller ceremonies now, but it's part of the healing process. As the time passed, we said we are going to rebuild and move on, but we will remember these people."

As Americans joined together, they raised $1.4 billion to help the families of people who did not make it home that day.

Every year, more time will pass, but the memory of those fallen Americans will never fade away. Ceremonies may decrease in size but to Moody Airmen, the meaning will be just as strong as it was 12 years ago.