CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Sept. 11, 2001 is a date etched into the hearts and minds of people around the world. On that day, 2,997 souls perished; these public deaths were repeatedly plastered on television screens across the globe. It was an attack that was calculated and personal, and it became the spark that ignited a wildfire that the United States is still fighting 13 years later.
Just as the scar of this day is beginning to heal and the hope of a more promising future is on the horizon, Air Commandos spanning multiple generations took part in a 9.11 mile ruck march at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. Motivated by the loss of a loved one or the haunting memory of that day, the men and women of Team Cannon honored those who perished thirteen years ago, only to ensure that their sacrifice and tragically premature deaths will continue to be memorialized by generations to come.
“Today marks 13 years since the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the downed Flight 93,” said Maj. John Jansheski, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron commander. “We're living with the aftershocks even now. We're here to reflect on what we lost, remember all we've sacrificed since, and renew our commitment to service,” he continued.
As this day comes and goes each year, Air Commandos remember the brave men and women of the Armed Forces who selflessly answered their nations call and paid the ultimate sacrifice and residents of New York City, New York, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania who honorably ran directly into the heat of the danger to aid their fellow man.
This was a day that the United States came together as a nation, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, striving towards a better tomorrow by rebuilding from the rubble caused by an act of terrorism fueled by hate. We remember.