The times that try men’s souls

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clark Staehle
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Staff Sgt. Lori Sears quietly reached up and wiped the tears from her eyes as more than 150 people observed a moment of silence during RAF Mildenhall's 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Monday. 

It was a sentiment shared by many. 

The sergeant, with the 21st Special Operations Squadron, said she came to the ceremony at Remembrance Park to honor the lives of those who died during the terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and on flight 93 in Pennsylvania. 

"Remembering the lives lost during the 9/11 attacks is important," she said. "The passage of time can dull memories and cause a person to forget what happened. This ceremony helped us remember those who died that day." 

The message that permeated the ceremony was a simple one - it was all about honoring the people who died - whether they were first responders, airline passengers, military members or just everyday people. 

"We need to remember the victims who began their day by getting on flights for another trip across the country by airplane ... or who got up to head to work or were already at work ... or those who were simply on the streets of Washington, D.C. and New York City, or in Pennsylvania when the planes came crashing in," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Mike Moore, 100th Air Refueling Wing chapel in his address to the people in attendance. 

Colonel Michael S. Stough, 100th ARW commander, also stressed the importance of remembering the events that happened that autumn day in 2001. 

"We must remain vigilant against a determined, adaptive enemy who seeks to harm us at every turn," said Colonel Stough. "That said, today, at this moment, it's appropriate that we pause and reflect ... that we remember those who lost their lives, and that we honor the heroes of that day, whether first responders at the World Trade Center or the passengers on Flight 93." 

Sergeant Sears said the message was also important for other reasons. 

"We need to remember why we still have troops in Iraq and Afghanistan," she said. "This ceremony reminds us what we're fighting for."