CARLISLE, Pa. -- Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey returned to his home state, Pennsylvania, to help the Army War College and community remember together the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the subsequent 16 years of worldwide operations to safeguard America.
In a somber ceremony in front of the war college's Root Hall, Dailey greeted Gold Star family members, as well as elected, corporate, ROTC, and veteran service organization representatives from the Carlisle area community. They gathered with the Army War College's student body of U.S. and international officers to look back at personal impacts and to look forward to the national commitment made possible by those who serve as first responders, Soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen.
Sergeant Major of the Army Dailey spoke of the importance of remembering Sep. 11, 2001 -- pausing and reflecting on the things we must continue to do to make sure events of that nature never happen again.
People across this country feel, still, the impact of that historic day in an enduring, personal and meaningful way, he noted. Like the generations who remembered exactly where they were Dec. 7, 1941, when the Pearl Harbor tragedy became a part of history, people today have searing memories of where they were during the Sep. 11, 2001, blow to our nation.
"So much has happened, and so many people have been affected, that it's important that we continue to ask that question. It's important that the next generation, the generations who were not alive on that day, remember the impact on the nation as a whole.
"But most importantly, it's a tribute to over 2900 people who lost their lives that day," said Dailey.
He added that remembering is a tribute to the first responders, to families who lost someone in the attack or in responding without hesitation. It's a tribute to those who have lived in fear of terror.
Surveying the audience composed overwhelmingly of first responders, military members and national security professionals, Dailey said, "It's a reminder, 'when we ask Where were you that day?' of the people who continue to serve today. It's a reminder that we can never allow those events to happen for the people of the United States of America ever again.
"It's a reminder that people are going to have to continue to serve and sacrifice for this nation to ensure those events never happen again on American soil," said Dailey. "It's a reminder that we have to continue that legacy for the next generation and the generation after."
Social Sharing