Local military bases come together for 9/11 commemoration
A first-ever combined 9/11 Commemoration was held at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station Thursday to honor the lives lost 13 years ago in the Sept. 11 attacks and to salute those currently serving.
The ceremony included participation from North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, Air Force Space Command, the United States Air Force Academy and Fort Carson as well as local law enforcement agencies.
Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, said the U.S. dealing with ISIS served as a fitting backdrop to reflections on 9/11.
“9/11 is a sobering reminder that we as a people are best defined by what we are willing to fight and sacrifice for,” Jacoby said. “The challenge remains and there are more fights ahead.”
Jacoby also talked about the importance of the U.S. relationship with Canada throughout the years.
“No one has stood by us closer than our Canadian partners,” he said. “I have long described our bi-national relationship as a huge, competitive security advantage.”
The Honourable Robert Nicholson, Canada’s minister of defence, praised NORAD and the U.S. response to the 9/11 terror attacks.
“We were horrified by the invasion of North America, a continent that we believed was relatively distant from the threat of terrorism,” Nicholson said.
Melodie Homer, widow of Leroy Homer, first officer of United Airlines Flight 93 which was hijacked and crashed in Pennsylvania, took the podium to share thoughts on the day and how the nation can improve security for pilots and travelers.
“To this day, it is hard for me to believe still that my husband went to work and never went home,” Melodie said.
Several F-16 fighters flew over the ceremony. Military and civilian officials laid four wreaths at the 9/11 memorial, representing the U.S. military, Canadian military, state of Colorado and the local community and first responders.
