Remembering lost lives, 445th AW commemorates Sept. 11

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shen-Chia McHone
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Sept.11, 2011 was a solemn day of remembrance for 445th Airlift Wing members.

A formation of more than 200 Airmen came to observe the Sept. 11 tragedy in a remembrance ceremony in front of building 4010.

Lt. Col. David Leist, 445th AW Chaplain Corps, head chaplain, gave a word of prayer during the observance.

"Ten years ago today, our nation went into mourning for the loss of human life and the suffering we, as a people, faced. We shed our tears in a common bond of grief for those we loved and lost which will indelibly be inscribed in our memories," said the chaplain. "Help us to remember what it means to be Americans - a people endowed with abundant blessings. Help us to cherish the freedoms we enjoy and inspire us to stand with courage, united as one nation in the midst of any adversity."

As the Airmen stood for a moment of silence, an Air Force fighter jet flew overhead unexpectedly, almost as if it were paying tribute to the lives lost.

Col. Stephen Goeman, 445th AW commander, spoke after the prayer about the Airmen and civilians who stood up to join the military because of that tragic day.

"Sept. 11 became a driving force for Airmen taking an oath to serve and standing in this formation today. Some decided to serve because of the events that transpired on that significant day," said Goeman.

As the wreath was being presented during the ceremony, Senior Airman Laura Wagner, 445th AW, had a flashback through the memory of events that happened that fateful day.

"When I was twelve-years-old, I remember watching the horrific events of Sept. 11 on TV," said Wagner. "The events of the attack moved me and I wanted to join the military. Now that I'm enlisted, I feel privileged to have the opportunity to honor the Sept. 11 victims," added.

Sept. 11, 2011, marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the passengers onboard Flight 93 that crashed in Shanksville, Pa. Ten years after the attacks, the memory remains fresh in the minds of many Wright Wing Reservists who grieve for the deceased - Maj. LeRoy W. Homer, Jr., a member of the 445th Airlift Wing.

"Major Homer was one of the nicest people I had ever met who always had an ever-present smile on his face," said Tech. Sgt. Julie Meintel, 445th AW historian, who met him 21 years ago when she flew with him as a loadmaster.

"When Sept. 11 happened, everyone at the base found out Major Homer was on one of the flights that crashed. Many of us were frightened by the events and were in disbelief that he was gone," said Meintel. "No one deserved to die the way he did; none of those people deserved to die."

The 445th AW honored the life and service of one of the unit's former members Oct. 4, 2008, dedicating its new operations building to Maj. LeRoy W. Homer, Jr.

The colonel said just as the servicemembers today have stepped up for the fight for freedom, the firefighters, police officers and civilians showed courage that day when they ran toward the carnage to assist the injured during Sept. 11.

"These brave actions show what we are as Americans. We love our freedom and we know what that means: it doesn't matter who you are; you will stand up and sacrifice without hesitation because it is ingrained in our minds and our hearts," said Goeman.