We Will Always Remember

Lt. Col. Daniel Guinan, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron commander, and Todd Miller, 27th Special Operation Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of operations, unveil a piece of steel from the World Trade Center during the tenth anniversary of September 11th at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Sept. 11, 2011. This piece of steel is the only one from the World Trade Center to be placed in New Mexico. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)

We Will Always Remember

Bruce Ford, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of operations , rings a bell for all the firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Sept. 11, 2011. The ringing of the bell symbolizes the historic notification of losing a firefighter in action. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)

September 11th Memorial

Airmen from Cannon march during the 10th anniversary of September 11th memorial at CAFB, N.M., Sept. 11, 2011. The flag will become a permanent part of a monument honoring the victims of September 11, 2001 at the Cannon Air Force Base Fire Department. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Bell)

Cannon officials "We will always remember"

Published Sept. 11, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Jette Carr
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- In remembrance of the heroes and lives lost during 9/11, a ceremony was held at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M, Sept. 11, 2011, on the tenth anniversary of the infamous terrorist attacks that changed the world forever.

During this event a portion of the steel structure from the World Trade Center was unveiled and placed on permanent display at the Cannon Air Force Base Fire Station. An American flag, recently flown over the base, was retired at the foot of the steel memorial.

"It's an honor to have such a memorable symbol of the World Trade Center and the attacks of Sept. 11 here at Cannon," said Col. Buck Elton, 27th Special Operations Wing commander. "The steel symbolized our strength and resolve and will serve as a reminder of the innocent victims as well as the first responders and those in the service who stepped up to the challenge created by this."

Master Sgt. Dominique Derr, 27th Special Operations Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, said she attended this ceremony because of the deep impact it has made on her life.

On 9/11, Derr was an Airman 1st Class stationed at Hurlburt Field, Fla., when she watched two planes fly into the World Trade Center on the morning news. After seeing this, she knew she was soon going to be deployed overseas in support of her aircraft. Since that day, she's deployed seven times doing fire support, hospital support and global triage.

"Finding out that we were doing a dedication, with a piece of the history as a memorial, it was important to me to be here," she said.

She believes the memorial will give younger Airmen, some of which were in elementary school during 9/11, a chance to connect with this event, and better understand why the military is currently engaged in a war against terror.

More than 3,000 people died that day and roughly 6,000 military members have been killed since in an effort to stop global terrorism, 26 of which were Air Commandos.

To close the ceremony, Bruce Ford, assistant chief of fire prevention at Cannon, sounded the fire station's bell - a traditional show of respect for fallen firefighters. This bell was sounded in honor of the fallen emergency workers in New York City who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their communities on 9/11.

"The only way we will triumph over terrorism and conquer the senseless tragedy of these horrible events is by celebrating the kindness of the human spirit," said Master Sgt. John Hearn, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron, during the ceremony. "Today, as we remember those lost, I ask you to join me in faith that the good will not only endure, they will prevail."