WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2011 -- On Sept. 11, 2001, under the command of Maj. Gen. James T. Jackson, U.S. Army Military District Washington elements deployed to the Pentagon in support of security and recovery operations. These operations were successful in large part because of the prior superb relationships in place with partner organizations such as Arlington Fire Department (AFD) and the FBI-Washington Field Office (WFO).
At some point during those operations, two stones were recovered and moved to Fort McNair. No further details regarding these stones are known, but after more than nine years, they remained in storage at Fort McNair.
After consultation with Pentagon officials, Maj. Gen. Karl R. Horst, current JFHQ NCR/MDW commanding general, proposed the use of one of those stones to honor the efforts of three organizations that played key roles during post-911 operations; AFD became the incident commander at the Pentagon; FBI-WFO conducted the investigation and the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) was instrumental in the recovery, life saving and overall operation at the World Trade Center.
Horst directed one of the two stones be cut into three parts and plans to present one piece each to AFD, FBI-WFO and the FDNY in separate ceremonies. The second stone is to be positioned in a place of honor within the JFHQ NCR/MDW command.
The importance of Sept. 11, 2001 in the history of the U.S. is impossible to diminish. The JFHQ NCR/MDW continually seeks to honor those who fell on that day and the actions of those who worked so hard in the days afterward. Presentation of these stones will in a small way accomplish this and will allow those who follow to physically connect with that event.
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