US, Portuguese Airmen honor 9-11 ceremony at Lajes Field

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  Airmen of the 65th Air Base Wing were joined by their Portuguese counterparts during a solemn Sept. 11 ceremony held at Lajes Field to pay tribute to those who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

American and Portuguese Airmen representing firefighters, law enforcement and emergency medical services, and various guests were part of the 9-11 Remembrance Day ceremony.

Portuguese air force's Maj. Gen. Manuel Rolo, Azores Air Zone commander, and Col. Jose Rivera, 65th ABW commander, presided over the ceremony, which was held at the Portuguese South Hangar.

"Today we get together at Lajes Field as Airmen ... as Portuguese, American Airmen," said Colonel Rivera. "We get together to remember that particular day. We can't forget that day in 2001 when individuals from over 70 countries died in a matter of hours. Portuguese and American nationals alike share that same fate, and today we get together as Airmen."

After a moment of silence, a somber audience watched as the ceremony commenced with a video presentation showing the tragic incident of the 9-11 attacks.

After the presentation, a tribute was paid to honor all first responders. A firefighter, a medic and a policeman exited their respective vehicles carrying the U.S. and Portuguese flags, and a black box with names of those that perished during the attacks.

The narrator, Capt. Justin Long, 65th Air Base Wing, directed the crowd's attention to how the United States' and Portuguese flags stood side by side, representing the contributions of both nations' representatives "always waiting to serve."

"Let us remember the beacons of light the first responders represented, police officers, firefighters and medical personnel who rushed to the aid of the bewildered nation that tearfully watched the unfolding of a tragic, historical event," Captain Long said, while Eduardo Lima translated. "We have called on both great nations to provide representatives of some of these professions that are always there...always waiting to serve. We remember that when a nation needed heroes, they answered the call."

In his remarks, Col. Jose Rivera, 65th ABW commander, said that we have a duty to not forget that particular day and to honor the sacrifice of the people that died that day and since that particular day.

Our duty is to honor the sacrifice of our Airmen, Soldiers, Marines, Coastguardsmen and U.S. Civilians that have died in pursuit of this conflict, Colonel Rivera added.