By TR Robertson
9/11 Remembrance observances took place around the United States on Wednesday honoring those first responders, police, firemen, military and service members, and civilians who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. For the last several years, the Corp of Cadets and personnel of Carlsbad’s Army and Navy Academy has been one of the many groups to hold a Remembrance Observance ceremony.
On this mildly overcast morning along the coast, the Cadets gathered in formation in front of Davis Hall for the 8:15 am start time. Two of the Cadets held the American flag, ready to raise the flag, as the Warrior Band marched to their place in front of the Corp. The band played several patriotic songs prior to the start of the observance. Prior to this beginning, JROTC Instructor Jeffrey Palacios had gone over the morning’s events with SSGT Paul Dixon, Middle School Commandant, who would be leading the morning ceremony for the Cadets, personnel and visitors in attendance.
The Remembrance Observance began with the playing of the National Anthem and the raising of the American flag to half staff. This was followed by a welcome from SSGT Dixon to all in attendance, pointing out U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador Jim Bernet, Carlsbad City Councilmember Melanie Burkholder, Carlsbad Duty Battalion Fire Chief Scott Tucker, Training Battalion Chief Rosenthal, Members of Fire Station 1 and 7, Fire Administrative officials, Carlsbad Police Department, local Oceanside Recruiting Station recruiters – U.S. Army SFC Arriloa, Marine Corp SGT Devosrsney and Army National Guard. SSGT Dixon then led everyone in a prayer followed by a short history of what happened on the campus of Army and Navy Academy on the morning of 9/11. He pointed out the importance of never forgetting the sacrifices everyone made that day and through the following weeks and months. SSGT Dixon next introduced one of the Army and Navy Cadets and Battalion Chief Scott Tucker explaining they would be placed a Remembrance wreath in front of the flagpole. A Cadet then rang a bell four times for the fire, police, military and all victims on that fateful day. This was followed by the playing of “Amazing Grace” with a wonderful introduction by a trumpet player in the Warrior Band. The Cadet Corp was then called to attention to present arms during the playing of Taps. This was the conclusion to the Remembrance Observance and SSGT Dixon reminded everyone that this day is to honor the memory of all who lost their lives on that day as well as all who helped save so many lives.
The Army and Navy Academy Remembrance Observance is an organized, well thought out and emotional event that respectfully honors the memory of so many on a day that should never be forgotten.
A Timeline of the Events the Morning of September 11, 2001
7:59 am – American Airlines Flight 11 leaves Logan International – Boston to Los Angeles – 76 passengers, 11 crew, 5 hijackers
8:15 am – United Airlines Flight 175 leaves Logan International – Boston to Los Angeles – 51 passengers, 9 crew, 5 hijackers
8:20 am – American Airlines Flight 77 leaves Dulles International – Washington to Los Angeles – 53 passengers, 6 crew, 5 hijackers
8:42 am – United Flight 93 leaves Newark airport – Newark to San Francisco – 33 passengers, 7 crew, 4 hijackers
8:46 am – American Airlines Flight 11 hits the World Trade Center North Tower
9:03 am – United Airlines Flight 175 hits the World Trade Center South Tower
9:37 am – American Airlines Flight 77 hits the Pentagon
9:45 am – All U.S. air space is shut down and all planes in the air are ordered to land at the closest airport
9:59 am – The WTC South Tower collapses
10:02 am – United Airlines Flight 93 crashes into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
10:24 am – The WTC North Tower collapses
10:53 am – The U.S. Military moves to DEFCON 3
5:30 pm – Building 7 at the WTC collapses
Total killed on September 11, 2001 – 2,977 Americans not including the 19 hijackers
