Team Buckley remembers 9/11

The Mile High Honor Guard lowers the flag during the Patriot Day retreat ceremony Sept. 11, 2014, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. Patriot Day is the national day of service and remembrance, in memory of the thousands killed on U.S. soil in the 9/11 attacks. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Emily E. Amyotte/Released)

Team Buckley remembers 9/11

Col. John Wagner, 460th Space Wing commander, speaks during the Patriot Day retreat ceremony Sept. 11, 2014, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. Patriot Day is the national day of service and remembrance, in memory of the thousands killed on U.S. soil in the 9/11 attacks. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Emily E. Amyotte/Released)

Team Buckley remembers 9/11

Airman 1st Class Ryan Mullen, 460th Operations Group administrator, right, and Senior Airman Matthew Greger, 2nd Space Warning Squadron, left, present the wreath during the Patriot Day retreat ceremony Sept. 11, 2014, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. Patriot Day is the national day of service and remembrance, in memory of the thousands killed on U.S. soil in the 9/11 attacks. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Emily E. Amyotte/Released)

Team Buckley remembers 9/11

The Mile High Honor Guard stands in honor of the victims and fallen heroes of 9/11 during the Patriot Day retreat ceremony Sept. 11, 2014, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. Patriot Day is the national day of service and remembrance, in memory of the thousands killed on U.S. soil in the 9/11 attacks. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Emily E. Amyotte/Released)

Team Buckley remembers 9/11

Published Sept. 12, 2014
By Airman Emily E. Amyotte
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Team Buckley paid tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. during a Patriot Day 5K and a retreat ceremony Sept. 11 on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.

Patriot Day is the national day of service and remembrance in memory of the 2,977 killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. On this day, the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff at the White House and all U.S. government buildings across the world. Americans are also asked to take a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, the time the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City.

The Patriot Day events began the morning of Sept. 11 with an Honor Flight leading Team Buckley in a Patriot Day 5K. Carrying the American Flag and a POW-MIA flag, approximately 20 service members in their Airman Battle Uniforms ran in formation as a flight, representing the strength and unity the nation has brought forth from the tragedies of September 11, 2001.

In the afternoon, Team Buckley gathered for a retreat ceremony to honor the victims, as well as those who selflessly gave their lives trying to help others during the attacks.

Speaking on the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Chaplain (Maj.) David Del Prado thanked the members of our military and those who have lost their lives in the line of duty to protect our nation.

"Yes. Fear initially tried to get a hold of us as a nation, but we got back on the saddle and we've been working tirelessly to extinguish that menace," Del Prado said. "And thanks to you who formed the volunteer force we have today, and to our comrades at arms that made the ultimate sacrifice, for the part that you've played in keeping our nation secure."

Two Team Buckley members who were personally affected by the attacks on Sept. 11, Airman 1st Class Ryan Mullen, 460th Operations Group administrator, and Senior Airman Matthew Greger, 2nd Space Warning Squadron, both lost family members that day. The two presented a wreath in honor of the family members and friends who lost their lives.

Col. John Wagner, 460th Space Wing commander, also acknowledged the warriors who volunteered to serve after Sept. 11, 2001.

"Though a usually divided and opinionated nation, e pluribus unum, from many one, we were united that day and that month in resolve to take action," Wagner said. "The United States of America was attacked by an enemy force and the nation called on us to respond. Today is about remembrance and today is about honoring the memory of the victims of 9/11 and the American and coalition ... who made the choice to serve and sacrifice from home towns all across our country."