ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Aberdeen Proving Ground community members gathered at the post theater Sept. 9 to remember those who lost their lives a decade ago in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
During the somber ceremony, guests listened to a recollection of the attack in New York from 9-11 survivor and guest speaker Anthony Cruz who worked in an office building across the street from the World Trade Center and witnessed the collapse of the towers.
"It warms my heart to be with you here today, knowing the great sacrifices so many of you made over the past 10 years," said Cruz, who recounted for a full audience the day's horrific event.
In addition to memorializing the victims, the courageous acts of the passengers of the four hijacked planes, thousands of first responders and everyday citizens were also remembered. Also honored in an exhibit designed and created by the installation's Visual Information Services Division was Maryland's war dead since the start of the War on Terror.
Standing center stage throughout the program and flanked by two Soldiers, an APG police officer and a firefighter, the "Maryland's Fallen Heroes," monument lists the names and dates of the deceased from Sept. 11, 2001 through Sept. 10, 2011.
ID tags for each service member are displayed inside the monument's glass case. Below the monument is a timeline of the events of 9-11 and the wall behind it lists the four sites where the 9-11 victims lost their lives. On its front rests the gear of police officers and firefighters, representing the hundreds of emergency responders lost during the tragedy while coming to the aid of the victims.
On the right side of the monument, now on display at the garrison headquarters, sits a pair of Army boots and Marine boots, a rifle and helmet--a traditional show of respect for the fallen common throughout the U.S. military.
A firing squad made up of APG Directorate of Emergency Service police officers participated in the ceremony, and music was provided by the U.S. Army Field Band from Fort Meade.
Guests included several of Maryland's Gold Star Family members who have lost loved ones in the War on Terror. The ceremony was hosted by the garrison and the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command.
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