Spangdahlem remembers 9/11

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Luke J. Kitterman
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  More than 200 Airmen and German civilians gathered together for a 9/11 memorial ceremony Sept. 11, 2014 at the Spangdahlem Air Park Memorial.

This was the 13th anniversary of the attack and the ceremony consisted of personal speeches and a wreath laying.

Proceedings started at exactly 2:46 p.m., or 8:46 a.m. EST, the time when the first plane struck the North Tower in New York City.

"Everyone has their story of where they were when 9/11 occurred," said U.S. Air Force Col. Pete Bilodeau, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, during his opening remarks at the ceremony. "It's a day we will always remember. The terrorists' intent was to greatly injure us and undermine everything that we stand for. However, this act of terror inadvertently strengthened and unified us."

U.S. Air Force Maj. Carol Crisp, 52nd Medical Operations Squadron family nurse practitioner, was the guest speaker at the ceremony who shared her recollection of the 9/11 attack while at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. She was directly affected that day by helping victims who were injured in the nearby Pentagon attack.

"It was hard to think about who could attack us where we live, who could destroy so many lives and cause so much devastation," Crisp said. "But it also reminded me of why I joined and the reason I still serve today. It's not about the politics. It's not about rank. It's about service."

The Spangdahlem Air Park Memorial has been the location of the annual 9/11 ceremony since its donation to the base in May 2012. The Host Nation Council Spangdahlem e.V. and local businesses were behind the donation. The rising steel figure was designed by Hubert Kruft and signifies strength and unity.

"For all of us here today, not just Americans, September 11, 2001 forever changed our world," said Jan Niewodniczanski, president of the HNC Spangdahlem e.V. "No words, ceremonies, plaques or stones will ever replace the losses. But what the memorial we are standing at here today can do, is to provide us a solemn place for us to remember and mourn."

The HNC Spangdahlem e.V. also donated a ceremonial wreath that was carried by two members of the 52nd Force Support Squadron Honor Guard team and laid next to the memorial in honor of the day.

"Let it remind us that unified spirits in our hearts and souls will defeat evil and terror in this world as we continue to proceed together in the pursuit of happiness and freedom," Niewodniczanski added.