NAS Whiting Field Remembers September 11

MILTON, Fla. - (NNS) -- Service members, fire fighters, security officers, and civilian employees gathered at Naval Air Station Whiting Field's command building to remember the lives lost and the courageous responders to the attacks of September 11, 2001.

The quiet morning served as a respectful tribute to the nearly 3,000 lives lost during the collapse of New York City's twin towers, the loss of Flight 93 over Pennsylvania and the crash into the Pentagon.

Standing in ranks, the team members from all the commands on the base observed solemnly as Command Chaplain Cmdr. Charles Luff read Psalm 37 to remind the audience that evil passes and good endures. He followed that with a request for a moment of silence and a short prayer to help honor the memory of those who fell that day.

NAS Whiting Field Commanding Officer Capt. Matthew Coughlin spoke about a small rock memorial to pay tribute to those killed on 9/11. He stressed the words written thereon; "We serve because they cannot." He emphasized that it is incumbent upon Americans to keep the memory of this day vivid in our collective consciousness. The emotions and tragedy of that day should not be lost to those who come after current service members.

"I would ask you to keep the memory of 9/11 alive in the generations that follow. We cannot allow fading memories to become a pervasive threat to future Americans," he stated. "I am honored and proud to serve with each of you here today. We must remain ever vigilant. We are here to serve because they cannot."

Following the conclusion of Coughlin's speech, Taps was played throughout the base's loudspeakers. Then Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Nina Buruca, Master-at-Arms 1st Class Adam Turner, and Aviation Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Ogarry Clarke filed out to perform morning colors. Once the flag was lowered to half-staff, Command Master Chief Rafael Rosado then presented Turner with a wreath to lay at the base of the flagpole.

In all, the ceremony took less than 30 minutes, but the importance of the commemoration was not lost on the attending military personnel.

"The event this morning made me proud. It reminded me of the reasons I joined in the first place," said Buruca, who lived in New Jersey at the time of the attacks and had family in New York City. "It was a trying time in my life. I'm glad that we took time to remember those who fell and that they are not forgotten."

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