USS Iwo Jima Remembers September 11th

A ceremony was held Sept. 11 aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) to remember the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The event, coordinated by chief petty officer selectees, was designed to help Sailors and Marines fully understand the meaning behind the ceremony and take time to honor those 2,996 victims who lost their lives.

“Those attacks plagued our minds and stained our hearts,” said Chief (select) Fire Controlman Marlon Glass, the event coordinator. “Challenges may arise, but America will forever rise to the occasion to never suffer defeat at the hands of our enemy whether it is foreign or domestic.”

Held on the ship’s mess decks, the special ceremony included a slide show presentation of the events that took place on 9/11, and a moment of silence for those who sacrificed their lives.

“It still brings back a few emotions for me because at the time I was thinking about getting out the Navy, but decided to stay in and re-enlist for five additional years” said Lt. Laveda McDaniel, ships administration officer. “I knew I had to stay in and fight for our country, and now here we are 11 years later.”

The ceremony also marked the last organized event by the selectees prior to their official promotion on Sept. 14.

“The presentation the selectees put on today was great, it was heartfelt and it showed their hard work and camaraderie to work together,” said Master Chief Navy Counselor Martha Lara.

Iwo Jima, along with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is currently deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

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Naval Today Staff, September 13, 2012; Image: US Navy