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Ceremony remembers victims of Sept. 11

  • Published
  • By Capt. Heath Allen
  • Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  It was a moment no one will forget. And on Sept. 10, an assembly was held to remember the fallen.

Airman with the Arkansas Air National Guard's 188th Fighter Wing, the Fort Smith Fire Department, Fort Smith Police Department, Arkansas Army National Guard, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and members of the community gathered at UAFS Sept. 10 to remember the Americans who lost their lives during the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, and the four commercial airliners that were hijacked.

Col. Tom Anderson, 188th commander, addressed the throng during the event.

"September 11 didn't just interrupt our routine, it invaded our comfort zone," Anderson said during his speech. "The nation collectively held its breath, watching in sadness as the towers fell, the Pentagon burned and nearly 3,000 of our fellow Americans perished.

"Many innocent Americans lost their lives on Sept. 11 just like many American troops have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom, our country and our way of life. That day will always exist as a painful reminder to all citizens of this great nation that the cost of freedom and the American way of life comes with a high price."

Chief Mike Richards, fire chief of the Fort Smith Fire Department, and Dr. Robert Willoughby, interim chair of the UAFS history department, were also guest speakers.

The Fort Smith Fire Department Color Guard posted the colors and the Fort Smith Police Department fired a 21-gun salute. Two A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthogs" from the 188th provided a flyover and Jennifer Brummer performed the "Star Spangled Banner."

The Fort Smith Fire Department executed a ceremonial bell ringing and Harriett Sisson of the Ozark Highlander Pipe Band concluded the ceremony with a performance of "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes.

"While we assemble here today to remember the loss of so many Americans, we must also forge ahead in hopes of a brighter future," Anderson said while addressing the gathering. "And with the 188th Fighter Wing still in the business of national defense, I believe that future appears even brighter; our community feels just a little bit safer; and we all can sleep just a little bit easier."

In the months that followed Sept. 11, 2001, Guardsmen from the 188th labored around the clock, setting up a 24-hour operation center with F-16s on alert status.

During that span, the 188th scrambled its F-16s to fly over President George W. Bush's ranch in Texas to intercept any aircraft flying in the area without permission. The 188th was also tasked to intercept civilian aircraft that had strayed off course. The 188th also flew combat air patrols over major cities during large events, including the NFC Championship Game in St. Louis.

Additional photos of this event can be found on the 188th's official Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Smith-AR/188th-Fighter-Wing-Arkansas-Air-National-Guard/113971391965165.

Ceremony remembers victims of Sept. 11

  • Published
  • By Capt. Heath Allen
  • Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  It was a moment no one will forget. And on Sept. 10, an assembly was held to remember the fallen.

Airman with the Arkansas Air National Guard's 188th Fighter Wing, the Fort Smith Fire Department, Fort Smith Police Department, Arkansas Army National Guard, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and members of the community gathered at UAFS Sept. 10 to remember the Americans who lost their lives during the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, and the four commercial airliners that were hijacked.

Col. Tom Anderson, 188th commander, addressed the throng during the event.

"September 11 didn't just interrupt our routine, it invaded our comfort zone," Anderson said during his speech. "The nation collectively held its breath, watching in sadness as the towers fell, the Pentagon burned and nearly 3,000 of our fellow Americans perished.

"Many innocent Americans lost their lives on Sept. 11 just like many American troops have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom, our country and our way of life. That day will always exist as a painful reminder to all citizens of this great nation that the cost of freedom and the American way of life comes with a high price."

Chief Mike Richards, fire chief of the Fort Smith Fire Department, and Dr. Robert Willoughby, interim chair of the UAFS history department, were also guest speakers.

The Fort Smith Fire Department Color Guard posted the colors and the Fort Smith Police Department fired a 21-gun salute. Two A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthogs" from the 188th provided a flyover and Jennifer Brummer performed the "Star Spangled Banner."

The Fort Smith Fire Department executed a ceremonial bell ringing and Harriett Sisson of the Ozark Highlander Pipe Band concluded the ceremony with a performance of "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes.

"While we assemble here today to remember the loss of so many Americans, we must also forge ahead in hopes of a brighter future," Anderson said while addressing the gathering. "And with the 188th Fighter Wing still in the business of national defense, I believe that future appears even brighter; our community feels just a little bit safer; and we all can sleep just a little bit easier."

In the months that followed Sept. 11, 2001, Guardsmen from the 188th labored around the clock, setting up a 24-hour operation center with F-16s on alert status.

During that span, the 188th scrambled its F-16s to fly over President George W. Bush's ranch in Texas to intercept any aircraft flying in the area without permission. The 188th was also tasked to intercept civilian aircraft that had strayed off course. The 188th also flew combat air patrols over major cities during large events, including the NFC Championship Game in St. Louis.

Additional photos of this event can be found on the 188th's official Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Smith-AR/188th-Fighter-Wing-Arkansas-Air-National-Guard/113971391965165.