By Kirk Hutchinson, USAG Fort Riley Public Affairs Office
Fort Riley held a 9/11 commemoration ceremony Monday to honor and remember those who fell on September 11, 2001, and those members of the military who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the years since that day, including 214 Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley.
Col. Michael Foote, Fort Riley Garrison Commander, spoke during the ceremony.
“We gather here today like thousands of others at ceremonies across our great nation and the world to remember the tragedy and murder that occurred 22 years ago. September 11, designated “Patriot Day” by Congress, provides cause to each of us to contemplate two tasks: The first, is to honor the nearly 3,000 innocent lives taken from us and to pay tribute to all the patriots who have sacrificed their lives in the defense of freedom since that fateful morning. The second, is to rededicate ourselves to the vigilance required to prevent our enemies from striking our homeland ever again.”
Col. Foote also honored the first responders who fell on September 11, saying, “On that fateful day in 2001, the first brave Americans to rise up in response to the terrorist attacks were those wearing the uniforms of police officers, fire fighters, and emergency medical technicians. We are joined today by members of our Fort Riley Emergency Services and Fort Riley Military Police. They represent those heroes who rushed into the twin towers that fateful day."
