Goodfellow hosts 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 312th Training Squadron hosted a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Department of Defense Fallen Firefighter Memorial Sept. 9.

This ceremony honored the emergency responders that perished 15 years ago on Sept. 11. A representative from three emergency response departments stood at attention and placed a wreath next to the firefighter memorial.

“On Sept. 11th, 2001, the ultimate sacrifice was paid by 2,753 people,” said U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Wesley Barker, 312th TRS instructor. “Three hundred and forty three of which were New York City firefighters, 23 were NYPD officers, 37 Port Authority officers and 11 medics.”

During the ceremony, Staff Sgt. Adam McCarty, 312th TRS rescue instructor, rang a bell representing the end of duty for the fallen firefighters.

“When the fire was out and the alarm had come to an end, it was the bell that signaled to all the completion of that call,” said Barker. “To symbolize the devotion that these brave souls displayed through their desire to serve, ability to perform and their courage to act; we will strike a special signal of five rings, three times each followed by a moment of silence and a final ringing of five rings representing the end of our comrades’ duties.”

The 312th TRS also honored the individuals who sacrificed their life during the attacks of 9/11 by presenting a commemorative blanket for viewers to remember the attacks on 9/11.