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101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) remembers 9/11 at Fort Campbell

Fort Campbell KY - 101st Airborne DivisionFort Campbell, KY – Soldiers, family members and friends of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) gathered in front of the division headquarters September 11th, for a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of those who lost their lives in the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The ceremony was also held to pay tribute to those 101st Soldiers who lost their lives overseas in missions dedicated to hunting those responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

Brigadier General Mark R. Stammer, the division’s deputy commanding general for operations, spoke about the horrific events of that day.

Brigadier General Mark R. Stammer (center), the deputy commanding general for operations for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel A. Espinosa Jr. (right), the Fort Campbell garrison command sergeant major, observe a moment of silence after laying a wreath Sept. 11, 2014, to honor those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The division's honor guard would later fire a 21-gun salute and play Taps during the solemn ceremony. (Sam Shore)
Brigadier General Mark R. Stammer (center), the deputy commanding general for operations for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel A. Espinosa Jr. (right), the Fort Campbell garrison command sergeant major, observe a moment of silence after laying a wreath Sept. 11, 2014, to honor those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The division’s honor guard would later fire a 21-gun salute and play Taps during the solemn ceremony. (Sam Shore)

“Those vicious terrorist acts and the heroic efforts of thousands of first responders are burned into our memories as the beginning of a long journey for our nation,” he said to those in attendance.

Stammer also focused on the events that followed that day and all those who were affected.

“As time passed, and the War on Terrorism matured, thousands of communities became intimately involved,” said Stammer. “None more so than our own communities of Clarksville, Oak Grove and Hopkinsville, who proudly witnessed many of their sons and daughters go off and join in the fight in Afghanistan and Iraq, as we sought the enemies who challenged our promise of liberty.”

Though it has been 13 years since the terrorist attacks, there are some memories that will never fade, said Stammer.

“With every passing September 11th, our indelible memory of that terrible day will, in turn, potentially fade. What we cannot forget though are the families who lost loved ones and the tremendous sacrifices of service men and women who joined in their nation’s endeavor for the last 13 years, and who continue to sacrifice today on their country’s behalf.”

After Stammer completed his remarks, he and Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel A. Espinosa Jr., the garrison command sergeant major, walked a yellow-flowered wreath to the base of the 101st Airborne Division memorial where they, and everyone in attendance, observed a moment of silence.

The 101st honor guard then fired a 21-gun salute followed by the playing of Taps.

The ceremony concluded with the retreat ceremony and the folding of the nation’s flag.

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