A large American flag was flown high in front of Naval Station Rota's NEX as friends, family and service members gathered together to participate in the 9.11 run as part of the installation's tribute to a historical day in United States history, Sept. 11.

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

David Glasgow Farragut Elementary third grader students held a concert at the school's multipurpose room after the early morning Patriotic Run, organized by the fiscal year (FY) 18 Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Selects and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

The concert included patriotic songs such as "God Bless America" and "The Star Spangled Banner."

The day of tribute ended with a moment of silence during a formal ceremony held at the base theater organized by the FY 18 CPO Selects.

A poem titled "Prayer to an Angel" was read by Logistics Specialist 1st Class Gustavo RoldanCastillo, assigned to NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella Detachment Rota. Remarks from then-President George W. Bush were read by Legalman 1st Class Justin Williams, assigned to the Region Legal Service Office.

"These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat," said Bush. "But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people have been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."

The final act before the moment of silence was a flag ceremony where a folded flag was presented to a capsule containing the names of 2,997 people who lost their lives that day.

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 (EURAFSWA).

Just as a ship performs lines of operation that provide a capability, Navy Region EURAFSWA bases perform the same eight lines of operation to provide capability to the fleet, joint and allied forces. These eight lines of operation are: air operations, port operations, safety, security, housing, MWR, Fleet and Fleet and Family Services and what is called the core: the fuels, water and power that keep the bases running. Through our lines of operation, our installations are force multipliers that maximize combat capability of operational units.

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