News>We remember: JBLE and local community honor Sept. 11
Photos
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Gately, chairman of the Hampton Millitary Affairs Committee, speaks before a crowd gathered at Gosnold's Hope Park in Hampton, Va., Sept. 11, 2012. The crowd consisted of Service members, local police and citizens of Hampton who joined together to pay their respects to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton/Released)
Laine Beckwith holds flowers she presented to attendees of the eleventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Beckwith joined with Service members, local police and citizens of Hampton, Va., Sept. 11, 2012, at Gosnold's Hope Park to pay respects to people who died as a result of the attacks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton/Released)
The Flag of Honor stands next to a shovel and soil from the site of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. The flag is composed of the names of individuals who perished from the attack and was delivered to Gosnold's Hope Park, Hampton, Va. for the remembrance ceremony, Sept. 11, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton/Released)
Police officers from the Hampton, Va. Sheriff's Office rifle team march into position during a remembrance ceremony at Gosnold's Hope Park, Sept. 11, 2012. The ceremony was held to pay respects to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton/Released)
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Sean Smith plays "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes during a remembrance ceremony at Gosnold's Hope Park, Hampton, Va., Sept. 11, 2012. The ceremony was in honor of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton/Released)
Brig. Gen. Pete Utley, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command's deputy chief of staff for operations and training, consoles retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Larry Sticklen, who lost his son in the attacks on Sept. 11, during the 11th Annual Day of Remembrance and Hope ceremony, Sept. 11, 2012, at Gosnold Hope Park, Hampton, Va.(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Jo Bridgwater/Released)
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Gately, Military Affairs Committee chairman, provides opening remarks during a remembrance ceremony at Gosnold’s Hope Park, Hampton, Va., Sept. 11, 2012. Since December 2001, members of the Veterans of Foreign Affairs have held the ceremony to honor those who have fallen due to the Sept. 11 attacks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hawkins/Released)
Gloria Murray holds a rose and a photo of her daughter during a remembrance ceremony at Gosnold’s Hope Park, Hampton, Va., Sept. 11, 2012. Murray’s daughter, Sondra White, was killed at the Pentagon attack, Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hawkins/Released)
Laine Beckwith, Veterans of Foreign Wars senior vice president, hands out flowers to Service members during a remembrance ceremony at Gosnold’s Hope Park, Hampton, Va., Sept. 11, 2012. The annual ceremony is held to honor those who have died due to the Sept. 11 attacks and Service members who have died defending the country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hawkins/Released)
W.H. Beckwith, Veterans of Foreign Affairs commander, tolls the remembrance bell during the A Day of Remembrance ceremony at Gosnold’s Hope Park, Hampton, Va., Sept. 11, 2012. The bell was tolled at 8:46 a.m. for a moment of silence to remember the American Airlines flight that hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hawkins/Released)
U.S. Air Force Christopher Cronsell, with the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band, plays Taps during the A Day of Remembrance ceremony at Gosnold’s Hope Park, Hampton, Va., Sept. 11, 2012. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars hold the ceremony every year in remembrance of all Service members who have sacrificed their lives protecting the country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hawkins/Released)
by Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
9/11/2012 - HAMPTON, Va. -- It was a fair autumn wind that blew through Gosnold's Hope Park as Service members, local police and citizens of Hampton, Va., gathered to pay their respects on the 11th anniversary of what has widely been regarded as the single-greatest act of terrorism ever committed on American soil.
"We will not, we cannot forget what happened on this date 11 years ago," said retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Gately, chairman of the Hampton Military Affairs Committee. "We remember that day and we hope for a brighter tomorrow."
As the clock struck 8:46 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2001, America was forever changed when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Eleven years later, that precise moment was remembered in Hampton by the tolling of a single bell, followed by silent reverence from the crowd.
"That day so much changed for our country and our family," said Donn Weaver, father of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Todd Weaver. "I speak for the nearly 7,000 Americans who gave their last full measure for this nation."
Weaver, whose son was killed Sept. 9, 2010 - while serving in Afghanistan, said Lieutenant Weaver was motivated to join by the events of Sept. 11. Weaver called it this generation's "day of infamy." He also recalled the message put forth by President George W. Bush, after the attacks.
"Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America," Bush said. "These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."
Weaver said his son's resolve was never shaken, not even at the very end. He and his wife spoke with their son the night before he was killed. He said it was a simple conversation - he asked them for help getting some information. It wasn't a conversation parents would have had if they knew it was going to be the last time they would speak with their son. The next day they were on the way to Dover Air Force Base to welcome their son home in a coffin, with a flag draped over top. Today, Lieutenant Weaver is buried at Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, alongside countless other national heroes.
"His story is not unlike all the other stories of those who solemnly headed the call," said Weaver. "Memory is mightier than death."
The crowd sat silently as Weaver left the podium before a rifle volley from the Hampton Sheriff's Office rang out through the morning air. People covered their ears and shuddered with each shot, but did not look away.
As the volley concluded, the gunshots were replaced by the soft melodic notes of "Amazing Grace," played by U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Sean Smith. The crowd stood and began to walk toward a table that contained the names of all those who lost their lives as a result of the attack on Sept. 11. Through it all, the message of hope and appreciation was constantly heard from the lips of those in attendance.
"Our lives have been blessed in many ways because we are Americans," said Weaver. "May God continue to bless our United States of America."
