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Members from the 86th Aerospace Medicine Squadron booster club and other U.S. service members gathered together on Ramstein Air Base, Sept. 11, to honor victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and all service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the subsequent global war on terror.
U.S. Airmen, friends, and family participated in a six-kilometer ruck march throughout the Woodlawn Golf Course. As individuals made their way through the course, they read 18 different graphics which commemorated 18 different heroes in our military who acted selflessly in times of extreme duress.
U.S. Air Force Col. Joseph Wenckus, 86th Airlift Wing vice commander, opened the morning’s event with a word on what 9/11 means to him.
“For many of us, 9/11 plays a big part in our lives,” said Wenckus. “I think everyone serving in the military remembers exactly where they were and what they were doing when the 9/11 attacks struck. I don’t think there is a more noble cause that we do on a daily basis than to remember our fallen warriors and our wounded warriors. They have given so much more than we could ever give, or imagine to give, and they did it, sacrificing, without hesitation and without delay.”
Two wounded warriors, retired U.S. Army Sgt. Richard Rice and U.S. Air Force Special Agent Joshua Goodwin, then shared a few words on their motivations behind joining the military and their experiences of combat.
“I would just like to say, really from the bottom of my heart, what an honor it is to speak today,” said Rice. “Today, for me, it’s not just remembrance of the victims of 9/11 or those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in response to aid, but it’s a memory to me of the spirt of why I joined the military, and why, I’m sure, you joined the military. It takes some courage and a certain person to put on that uniform every day, to have the will and drive to aid and serve the people of our nation.”
Following the opening remarks, U.S. service members, along with family and friends, then began their ruck march.
Individuals were seen marching throughout the golf course wearing their job-specific “pro-gear,” along with backpacks containing additional weights. Members from the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight wore their bomb suits while firefighters wore their fire safety gear.
The American Red Cross and the Wounded Warrior Project also assisted in organizing this year’s 9/11 memorial.
Kristy Hogan, Wounded Warrior Project international outreach coordinator, believes it is important for service members and Americans to continue their remembrance of 9/11 victims and fallen service members. Hogan was one of the lead representatives from the Wounded Warrior Project who helped ensure the success of the event.
“Always remembering what happened on 9/11 is important because thousands of civilians, first responders, and service members lost their lives that day,” said Hogan. “Since then, service members from all branches of our military answered their nation’s call, and it is important to continue to honor and empower them.”
Hogan prompts individuals to remember service members are still in need of services and programs to support them and help them transition to civilian life.
“If we as a nation forget what happened 17 years ago, we will be doing a disservice to everyone who perished on 9/11 and everyone, past and present, who has put on the uniform,” said Hogan.
While the years between the attacks and the present continue to grow, the impact of the attacks remain anything but a distant memory.
