“It’s hard to believe 20 years have come and gone since the horrific attacks of 9/11.”
“I remember exactly where I was on that beautiful morning in September.”
“My spouse was supposed to be at the Pentagon that day.”
“I’ve never seen such patriotism as I did in the days and months after the attacks of 9/11.”
Those phrases were just snippets of conversations heard before the ceremony began Sept. 10, 2021, at the Baker Park Bandshell in Frederick, Md., as several gathered to honor the heroism and the sacrifice of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.
In a joint ceremony, Frederick County, the City of Frederick, and Fort Detrick came together to honor first responders, police officers, firefighters, service members, and their families, and to remember all who lost their lives on that fateful day now two decades past.
U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command and Fort Detrick Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Tony McQueen, spoke about that day and its impact on him as a Soldier and a father.
“The attacks reinvigorated my commitment to protect my country, to make our homeland secure for my daughter and her generation,” he said. “After 9/11, we knew we were going to deploy; it was only a matter of where and when. Our training was now being put into action. Life as we knew it was never going to be the same, but one thing that didn’t change was our commitment to securing our homeland and our freedom.”
Other dignitaries and local leaders echoed similar sentiments of strength and resilience, and issued challenges for all in attendance to come together as a nation, never forgetting our collective strength when we work together as neighbors, friends, and Americans.
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