Chief petty officers (CPOs) and CPO selectees assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) conducted a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony while underway in the support of Hurricane Irma relief efforts, Sept. 11.

The ceremony, along with timed events throughout the day, commemorated the 16th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that took place in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Somerset County, Pennsylvania and paid tribute to those who lost their lives as a result of the largest terrorist attack on American soil.

The remembrance events commenced at 8:46 a.m. with the one bell being rung over the ship's 1MC intercom system to signify the impact of American Airlines Flight 11 on the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

"Let us remember United Airlines 175, World Trade Center, South Tower," said Chief (Sel) Information Systems Technician Roshonia Valentine, of Hazlehurst, Georgia, to commemorate the impact on the south tower at 9:03 a.m.

Throughout the morning, two more sets of bells and announcements were made to signify the impacts of American Airlines Flight 77 on the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. and the United Airlines Flight 93 impact in Somerset County, Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m.

The memorial events concluded with a ceremony held on the ship's mess decks. During the ceremony Iwo Jima's Commanding Officer, Capt. James R. Midkiff provided remarks to the servicemembers.

"Many people ask the question 'Where were you on September 11th?'" said Midkiff. "I always ask the question 'Where were you on September 12th?' Many of you were joining the Navy that day. I have never seen a time in my life where this country came together so quickly for healing and to make a difference."

Following Midkiff's speech, various CPO selectees gave presentations to the crew highlighting the subject "Where were you on 9/11?"

"I was just leaving work on that morning 11," said Chief (Sel) Aviation Machinist Mate Corey Goddard, who was in New York on that fateful day. "I was driving through Queensbridge when I heard someone talk about the attacks on the radio. To this day, I have never felt so much fear than I did on Sept. 11."

Iwo Jima is underway in preparation to respond to any requests to bolster Northern Command's support of Federal Emergency Management Agency's assistance to federal, state and local authorities' ongoing relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

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