Local first responders were among the more than 4,000 guests in attendance during a Pass-in-Review graduation ceremony in Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall at Recruit Training Command (RTC) to reflect on the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Sept. 11.

Capt. Bob Fink, deputy commander of Naval Service Training Command, Mayor of North Chicago Leon Rockingham Jr., Capt. Doug Pfiefle, commanding officer of RTC, and Cmdr. Samuel Y. Hanaki, commanding officer of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Three Zero (VX-30), were also in attendance.

The recruits, staff and guests reflected on the 14th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Arlington, Virginia, and on Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in 2001.

During the ceremony, a flag folding remembrance was performed by two chief petty officer selectees and was held to pay tribute to those affected by the Sept. 11 attacks.

"We rest easy because of the dedication of those who keep us safe. The firefighters, the police officers, the EMTs and our military who report to work each and every day are prepared to make the same sacrifice for us today that the men and women did on that fateful day in New York City," said Lt. D'Juan Wilcher, the division officer for Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall during his welcome speech. "Their dedication epitomizes the idea that we carry on because, as Americans, we do not give in to fear."

The flag was then presented to Mayor Rockingham.

"Today is a special day for these recruits to be graduating. On a day where they are giving their service to our country and for the freedoms that we have, I wish to thank them for their commitment," said Rockingham. "It is an emotional day and I think it's important for us to recognize that these Sailors are here to serve our country and I am very proud of them."

Firefighters and policemen from the surrounding communities including North Chicago, Lake Bluff, Mundelein, Highland Park, Libertyville, Lake County, Grayslake, and Naval Station Great Lakes were in attendance to watch 1,011 recruits graduate from the Navy's only boot camp.

"This is definitely an honor to be here today and to see the young men and women that are graduating and getting the chance to have the privilege to serve our country," said Deputy Chief Tim Wilinski, Highland Park, Ill. Police Department. "I wish to thank them for serving and keeping our country safe. They have an important job in front of them not only for our country but for the entire world."

Deputy Chief Richard Wilson, North Chicago, Illinois, Police Department also shared the same sentiments for the new Sailors.

"It's an absolute honor to be here and to recognize these Sailors at their graduation as they go off in support of this country," said Wilson. "I know when they're overseas that they are going to be fighting in support of us and the United States. We want them to know that while they are here on our soil, we are here to protect them."

Boot camp is approximately eight weeks, and all enlistees into the United States Navy begin their careers at the command. Training includes physical fitness, seamanship, firearms familiarization, firefighting and shipboard damage control, lessons in Navy heritage and core values, teamwork and discipline. Since the closure of RTCs in Orlando and San Diego in 1994, RTC Great Lakes is, today, the Navy's only basic training location, and is known as "The Quarterdeck of the Navy."

Today, approximately 38,000 recruits graduate annually from RTC and begin their Navy careers.

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For more information about NSTC, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/ .

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