U.S. ARMED FORCES, Southwest Asia—For the 14th year in a row, a wartime U.S. military remembered the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. But this was the first 9/11 anniversary for U.S. military members deployed as part of Operation Inherent Resolve—the U.S.-led air war against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
On Friday, as the sun beat down at a remote desert base in the Persian Gulf region, sending the temperatures soaring well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, military personnel from the United States and other coalition countries, including Italy and Canada, gathered inside an air-conditioned auditorium. Several deployed unit commanders gave remarks. Air Force Col. Clarence Lukes Jr., commander of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, went first.
“You belong to [a] generation of volunteers who chose to serve, and continue serving, in a time of multi-faceted conflicts, campaigns, and war,” Lukes said.
“You have yet to serve in peacetime operations,” he added, “only in the ever-present, no-fail mission of ensuring evil and hatred do not prevail in our world.”
There was a short video, showing scenes from the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on 9/11, including the horrific spectacle of jumpers from the twin towers, as well as short interviews of U.S. airmen, explaining the impact of the attacks on their lives and careers.
During the video, the room was silent. When “Amazing Grace” played, a few leaned forward, heads tilted down to their combat boots as they discreetly wiped wet eyes dry. Remembering 9/11 creates a uniquely powerful emotional reaction among deployed troops.
“Easily an entire generation of airmen have known nothing but what we would consider war,” Lukes said in an interview. “Part of our mission here is to stamp out the evil that we saw that day.”
