Retreat Ceremony honors 9/11 victims

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Continuing an annual tradition, McConnell will honor victims of the 9/11 attacks and those servicemembers who have supported and continue to support today's fight at a Retreat Ceremony beginning at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 10, 2010, in front of Building 001.

The ceremony will also honor all first responders and civilians who lost their lives during the events of September 11, 2001. All McConnell members and their families are welcome to attend.

"This is a day to remember and honor those first responders who put the lives of others ahead of their own safety and paid the ultimate sacrifice," said Lt. Col. Robert Mallets, 22nd Mission Support Group deputy commander. "It is also a time for us to take a moment to not only think about those heroic first responders, but all those who have laid down their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan supporting our nation's response to those horrific attacks, and ensuring that our nation is never attacked again."

This day marks the eighth anniversary since the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. were attacked; almost 3,000 people lost their lives on American soil. Since then, patriots worldwide gather to remember the fallen.

"We need to take a moment to reflect on those sacrifices and what each of us, military and civilian, brings to the Total Force effort to keep our nation and our community safe from the many threats present in our world," Colonel Mallets said.

Before the formal retreat ceremony begins, McConnell Airmen are invited to participate in a Patriot Day Run. This 2.2 mile wing formation run will begin at the Robert J. Dole Community Center.  Airmen participating in the run will need to be in place by 6:45 a.m.  The run will begin at 7 a.m.

"It's a short run that also helps honor those who were taken on 9/11," said Senior Airman Jonathan Scherquist, 22nd Air Refueling wing command chief assistant.

McConnell's first responders, which includes the 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department, 22nd Medical Group and 22nd Security Forces Squadron, will be in formation along with local community first responders, to demonstrate the strong bond and commitment to provide mutual support in defending our population from all enemies and dangers, said Colonel Mallets.

The ceremony will also feature remarks from Col. Jamie Crowhurst, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, as well as a performance by a bagpiper, an honor guard salute and a local flyover from a KC-135. The ceremony will end with the ringing of the bell, borrowed from the local fire department, which signifies the last call for those responders that gave their lives to help the victims of 9/11.

The official formation for the Retreat Ceremony will include Team McConnell and community first responders. For more information, call Colonel Mallets at (316) 759-4129 or Tech. Sgt. Jenson VanCise at (316) 759-3902.