Sailors stationed at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Keesler held a 9/11 commemoration ceremony at Alho Manor onboard Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Sept. 11.

The ceremony, organized by the CNATTU Keesler chief petty officer (CPO) selects was designed to provide attendees a gathering and focal point to pay respects to the nearly 3,000 individuals killed and more than 6,000 injured during the Sept. 11, 2001.

"Some of the students attending classes here were not even school-aged children at the time the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City happened," said Senior Chief Aerographer's Mate Tony Mazzulo, CNATTU Keesler senior enlisted leader. "Part of our responsibility in training Sailors and Marines in the jobs they will perform is teaching them heritage and honoring those who served and sacrificed before us. Ceremonies such as this educate these young men and women, and serve as a reminder to all of us why we make the continued sacrifices every day in service of our country."

During the ceremony, CNATTU Keesler Sailors and Marines stood in formation while CPO selects presented detailed readings of what happened on Sept. 11, 2001. Students and staff affixed names of individuals they personally knew who were affected by the attacks to a ceremonial wreath at the base of the CNATTU Keesler flagpole.

Additionally, participants presented a timeline of the events which took place Sept. 11 2001, and performed a flag ceremony designed to honor not only the service members who lost their lives during the tragic event, but the first responders and civilians who died as well.

"We remember all those who were lost, and our hearts are with the families of those who suffered so much," said ceremony participant 1st Class Petty Officer Roxanne Cuttill.

CNATTU Keesler trains service members in the electronic calibration of afloat and aviation equipment, meteorological and oceanographic observing and forecasting and the maintenance and repair of meteorological equipment.

CNATTU Keesler is a training unit of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. CNATT develops, delivers, and supports aviation technical training at 28 sites located throughout the continental United States and Japan.

CNATT is a technical training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise, an organization designed to advance and sustain naval aviation warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost, and is the largest training center under Naval Education and Training Command.

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