TacStitch

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Victims of 9/11, Thank you.

“Never Forget” has become synonymous with the events of 9/11. As the years pass however, so to do the vivid memories of such we watched on the news. It’s human nature. We only tend to think about 9/11 on the anniversary of. We might be caught off guard by it, as we equally try to comprehend it was 21 years ago. If you were around then and of an age whereas you could really understand the magnitude of the day, perhaps this resonates with you.

Why this writer will Never Forget 9/11 came a year later, in OCT 2002. It was a day in Marine Corps Boot Camp at MCRD SD, and all recruits were in the auditorium. The CG of MCRD had asked that any recruit who had known and lost someone on 9/11 to stand. A few recruits stood. The CG went one by one asking “Who did you lose ?” A recruit stated “My uncle sir.” The CG said “Sorry for loss. Have a seat please.” When the CG came to the last recruit and asked “Who did you lose son?” The recruit stated, fighting tears, “My mom and dad sir.” It hit us ALL. The normal confidence a CG has when speaking had been stunned. It was sadly quiet, as both men stood with all eyes on them. The CG now with tears in his eyes as well.

Then came the words that still illicit goose bumps till this day. The CG composed himself, looked right at the recruit, and said “Then this is for you son.” The auditorium fell dark and a video emerged on the screen behind where the CG had been standing. The video showed scenes of the planes hitting the WTC and still images of that day. Then the screen faded to black, and you could faintly hear the beginning of the song “Let the Bodies Hit the Floor.” The song grew louder and hit the first big line, when suddenly raw combat footage of Marines in Afghanistan exploded onto the screen…as did that auditorium.

So why Victims of 9/11 Thank You? Because losing you all ultimately built three generations of some of the greatest men and women (military, law enforcement, first responders) our Nation has ever known. This is why we will truly “Never Forget.” Your sacrifice changed us forever. You are part of us. And we are all still America🇺🇸