Fifteen years ago, the history of the United States was forever changed when terrorist attacks targeted the World Trade Centers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C.

Naval Station Rota coordinated three events on Sept. 9 and 11 to honor and remember the nearly 3,000 people killed in New York, Arlington, Virginia and on Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 11, 2001.

The morning of Sept. 9 started off with a Patriot Run, which was organized by the fiscal year (FY) 17 Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Selects and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. Hundreds service members, civilians and family members gathered outside of the Navy Exchange, many in red, white and blue attire, and participated in the 9.11 kilometer (5.66 mile) run.

A short time later, third grade students from David Glasgow Farragut Elementary School held a concert that included patriotic songs such as "God Bless America" and "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."

And finally, to close the series of events on Sept. 11, the FY 17 CPO Selects, organized a formal ceremony where a brief presentation was given; the speech by then-President, George W. Bush was recited, a poem was read and then five Chief Selects, along with the Chief of Rota's Fire and Emergency Services participated in a flag-passing ceremony where a folded flag was displayed to honor the 2,996 people who lost their lives that day.

"Thank you for coming to today's ceremony," said Chief (SEL) Master-at-Arms Randall Sapp. "Your presence sends a message to all that we will remember September 11th, 2001... just as we remember Pearl Harbor, the only other attack on American soil. Yes, we will remember."

The nearly 3,000 people killed that day marked the single largest loss of life from a foreign attack on American soil. That same day, the United States officially declared "War on Terror."

Naval Station Rota enables and supports operations of U.S. and allied forces and provides quality services in support of the fleet, fighter, and family for Commander, Navy Installations Command in Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia.


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