RAF Mildenhall goes silent to remember Sept. 11 attacks

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Members of the 100th Communications Squadron lined up outside Building 586 as RAF Mildenhall held a moment of silence to remember the tragic events that shook the United States eight years ago. Starting at 1:45 p.m., taps was played over the loud voice system and military members and civilians stopped what they were doing to salute or place their hands over their hearts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Thomas Trower)

Sept. 11 memorial observance

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Base firefighters, flanked by key members of 100th Air Refueling Wing leadership, render a respectful salute in front of the Sept. 11 memorial on the eight-year anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. At 1:45 p.m., taps was played over the base public address system to mark the exact moment the attack began. (U.S Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jerry Fleshman)

RAF Mildenhall goes silent to remember Sept. 11 attacks

Published Sept. 11, 2009
By Senior Airman Thomas Trower
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- A moment of silence and the playing of taps passed through RAF Mildenhall as military members and civilians stopped to salute or place their hands over their hearts in remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States.

At 1:45 p.m., taps was played over the loud voice system while wing leadership and security forces and fire department representatives gathered at Remembrance Park to honor the victims killed in the terrorist attacks.

"Leadership gave us a great opportunity to do something as a unit," said Lt. Col. David Stookey, 100th Communications Squadron commander, who had his entire unit in Building 586 and the post office leave their offices for the ceremony. "We lined up together as a unit to pay tribute. We had most of the comm. squadron on hand."

Eight years ago, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners and flew them into the World Trade Center's twin towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and a field in Pennsylvania.