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Ceremony Remembers 9/11

FeaturesThe Chief’s Mess and chief petty officer selectees hosted a solemn ceremony in remembrance of 9/11 in front of the historic Tower on Naval Support Activity Bethesda. By Bernard S. Little WRNMMC Command Communications 3 Min Read

The unforgettable memories of 9/11

LocalTwo members of the National Guard stand beneath one of hundreds of American flags Sept. 19, 2001, that have been hoisted or worn by rescue workers at the site of the collapsed World Trade Center following terrorist attacks there more than a week prior. - Credit: FEMA photo by Andrea Boohre

The unforgettable memories of 9/11

LocalEditor’s note: The following article has been edited for space limitations in the Pentagram. To read the full story, visit https://goo.gl/jX3GL8. By Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Darron Salzer National Guard Bureau

4 Min Read

Remembering 9/11

Regional News9/11 Memorial <1 Min Read

‘Our Generation’s Day of Infamy’ Walter Reed Bethesda Remembers 9/11 Victims, Tragedies

FeaturesA large bell was rung, prayers said and tears shed during a solemn ceremony at Walter Reed Bethesda on Sept. 11 as the community gathered to remember the victims and the tragic events of 9/11. By Bernard S. Little WRNMMC Public Affairs staff writer

2 Min Read

Pentagon National Prayer Breakfast features faith ambassador

LocalAmbassador Suzan Johnson Cook has led a Forrest Gump-type existence over the past two and a half decades. A trip to South Africa found her in the audience while Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu appeared onstage. The first African-American president, Barack Obama appointed her as the United States Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. As a White House Fellow, she gave advice to President Bill Clinton on the growing problems of homelessness, violence and community empowerment. As a New York Police Department chaplain, she personally witnessed yet spiritually reached past the dust and remains of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001 to console emergency responders, NYPD families and relief workers. The eyewitness to many modern day historic watersheds, Johnson Cook was the guest speaker March 12 at the Pentagon’s 2014 National Prayer Breakfast and shared her brushes with greatness and her dedication to opening eyes and arms to religious liberation as one of the world’s foremost faith leaders. The former advisor to two U.S. presidents told an audience assembled in the Department of Defense Pentagon auditorium that one event domino-effected into a series of opportunities to assist people around the globe. "As the ambassador, what a privilege [it has been to be] a faith leader at the diplomatic table promoting religious freedom, so I now declare that I now see life in what I call 3D – democracy, diplomacy and divinity," Johnson Cook said. "How blessed I was as a leader, as an American, as an African-American and as a woman to stand and sometimes sit with government leaders, civil society and all kinds of faith leaders and decision makers all over this world." Prior to working at the State Department as the principal adviser to the Secretary of State for Religious Freedom, Johnson Cook served as the senior pastor of the Bronx Christian Fellowship Baptist Church and was the first-ever New York Police Department female and African-American chaplain. The latter position brought her face-to-face with a historic day many veteran Pentagon workers may also remember – Sept. 11, 2001. On that morning, Johnson Cook was on her way into Queens to pick up an airline passenger at one of New York’s airports when her day – and life changed. The closing of the Tri-Borough Bridge gave her a candid view of lower Manhattan Island. "It was at that moment I had to go into emergency police personnel mode," she said. "As I looked to the right, you could see down the East River, another building was going down in flames. The second tower had been hit. I was no longer average citizen Johnson Cook. For the next 60 days – and the rest of my life – I was Chaplain Johnson Cook." By the afternoon, Johnson Cook was 10 blocks from Ground Zero aiding NYPD families. Her expertise was also sought when NYC 9-1-1 operators who talked with World Trade Center occupants needed counseling. Her 9/11 mission eventually led her to the tower rubble itself so she could spiritually mend, counsel and comfort first responders who continued rescue attempts. She explained how she attempted to spiritually mend NYC 9-1-1 operators who been on the phones with World Trade Center workers who jumped for their lives. Her 9/11 mission eventually led her to police headquarters and to the tower rubble itself so she could counsel and comfort NYPD families and those stricken with grief even though they continued rescue attempts for comrades. "In the face of adversity, we learned to pray as Americans," Johnson Cook said of that September. "I saw firsthand what can happen when people put aside their religious differences and work and pray together." According to New York magazine, 23 New York police officers lost their lives in the terrorist attack. Her 9/11 experiences helped her accept the ambassador’s nomination and her chance to spread the religious freedom message worldwide, she said. "The freedom of religion is the freedom to believe what you want or not believe," Johnson Cook said. "It’s our time to help folks to go forward. It’s time to get people to the other side from the other side of their pain, the other side of their divorces, the other side of their addictions. When we get them to the other side, it’s time for celebration." Johnson Cook has recently been named a distinguished visiting fellow with the Catholic University of America. The musical guest of the breakfast was Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s The U.S. Army Chorus, which is part of The United States Army Band, "Pershing’s Own." The 21-member troupe sang the national anthem, "Amazing Grace," and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and closed with the four service songs. By Jim Dresbach

Pentagram Staff Writer 3 Min Read

MDW Soldier reenlists in NYC

LocalArmy Staff Sgt. Danilo Fernandez became a military policeman on Sept. 11, 2001 and left New York City two days before the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. By Jim Dresbach

Pentagram Staff Writer

<1 Min Read

MOH recipient leads Marines to World Trade Center

LocalThe Marine Corps’ only living Medal of Honor recipient since the Vietnam War led Marines based in the Greater New York City area on a run from Brooklyn to where the World Trade Center towers once stood during the annual Tunnel to Towers run Sept. 29. Sgt. Dakota Meyer ran alongside Col. J. J. Dill, the 1st Marine Corps District commanding officer, and Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, the senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as they led approximately 350 Marines from 1MCD, Marine Aircraft Group 49, 6th Communications Battalion, 6th Motor Transport Battalion and 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation run commemorates the heroic life and death of Stephen Siller, a firefighter who ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel with 60 lbs. of gear to help those in need at the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001. He and 342 firefighters and paramedics were killed that day. "The acts that Stephen Siller performed that day are the same acts that we expect of our Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen. That’s tenacity, bravery, courage, and that’s what Stephen Siller portrayed that day, and each and every day, as he protected the citizens of New York as a firefighter," said Battaglia. Servicemembers from all branches of service joined runners and walkers to retrace Siller’s steps and remember the victims of 9/11. "It’s important to do memorial runs because so many men and women have sacrificed for freedom and sacrificed so we can do what we do and live in the greatest country on earth. We need to remember that," reflected Meyer. Four years ago, Meyer was serving in Afghanistan on the anniversary of 9/11. Three days prior, his actions and bravery in battle resulted in the awarding of the Medal of Honor. "I lost my whole team on Sept. 8, 2009, three days before Sept. 11. It was by far the worst week of my life." He also recalled where he was the day so many lives were changed. "Sept. 11, 2001, I was sitting in my 8th grade classroom, in an art class…and we heard that two planes had crashed into the World Trade Center…remember them rolling in a TV and watching the towers fall, and I didn’t know what it [meant]. It means so much more now." After running the 3.5 mile route, Meyer reflected, "I think everyday should be memorial day, but we need to set aside days where it is just about them, it’s just about what they did for us … it’s a humbling experience, just like this one." Battalgia reiterated the feelings of many when he said, "I feel honored to come out here and participate, and I’m glad to see all of our service branches, especially our Corps, coming out and representing Stephen Siller and helping to carry on his legacy." By Capt. Lindsay Pirek

USMC Public Affairs Office

New York 1 Min Read