Sailors, Newport News Community Remember 9/11

Sailors assigned to USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and PCU Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) joined Newport News city officials, police officers and firefighters to host a remembrance ceremony commemorating the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack.

The event served to honor the 2,977 people who lost their lives in the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93.

Guest speaker McKinley Price, Newport News mayor, asked those in attendance to remember how Americans "came together as one in support of this country," adding that the importance of togetherness is still prevalent today.

Hospitalman Corey Lee, a Lincoln Sailor in attendance, said the ceremony served as a reminder for him that the military must continue to train hard and fight terrorism wherever it exists.

"By showing up today, I hope we can show the community that we have devoted our interests to honor all those who sacrificed their lives," said Lee.

Operations Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Koehler, also from the Lincoln, said the horrific events of that day ignited a spark of patriotism inside him that he still feels today.

"I was in high school when I heard the news about the attack on the twin towers," Koehler said. "I was angry and it took me a while to realize that the best way to honor those people was to join the Navy and help out however I could."

Retired Army Lt. Terrance Dunbar, currently serving with the Newport News Police Department said the attack was a somber reminder of why he pledged to serve his country.

"Public service is a personal decision that has to be accepted as a serious responsibility and I took that on as part of my life," said Dunbar. "I believe we all live on through the acts we performed in this life and the sacrifice those people gave on that day speaks as a testament to their own heroism for this country."

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