While many of us were discussing the September 11 anniversary, this is what some of our troops — many of them in harm’s way themselves — were doing:
The color guard parades the colors during the 9-11 remembrance ceremony in hangar bay two aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is returning to the U.S. 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility four months ahead of schedule in order to maintain combatant commander requirements and Navy assets in the region. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth Abbate
Airmen complete a 9/11 Memorial Ruck March on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sept. 11, 2012, to commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks. More than 25 airmen, assigned to the 11th Security Forces Group, participated in the three-hour march around the installation’s perimeter.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgts. Vincent Laughlin, left, Joshua Williams, center, and Cpl. Valentino Nevarez prepare for the raising of the flag during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony on Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2012. Laughlin, Williams and Nevarez are assigned to Ist Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group
Two members of the honor guard assigned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam prepare to raise the colors to half staff at the “Missing Man Memorial” on the Hawaii base, Sept. 11, 2012, during a ceremony to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Soldiers deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2012, bow their heads in prayer during a ceremony to commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Coalition troops and civilians serving in eastern Afghanistan gather on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2012, to observe a moment of silence during a ceremony to commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Roland Hale
Members of an honor guard post the colors during a ceremony to commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Sept. 11, 2012. The honor guard is assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Carlotta Holley
Photos: DOD
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.