From the commander in chief down to our troops serving in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Kyrgyzstan and elsewhere, the military — those who responded to the call of duty after the 9/11 attack and who sacrificed so much — remembered that fateful day, each in his or her own way. In “Memory’s Requiem: 12 Years after 9/11,” we read how four service members recalled 9/11.
Here are some images of how others remembered and observed 9/11 — from the commander in chief on down.
President Barack Obama, left, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stand for the national anthem during a remembrance ceremony for victims of the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon at the Pentagon Memorial, Sept. 11, 2013. The three leaders joined family members of those killed in the terrorist attack for the private ceremony.
Members of the Pentagon community stand to remember victims working in the Pentagon during the 9/11 terrorist attack during a courtyard ceremony at the Pentagon, Sept. 11, 2013.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Christopher Mayor pays his respects during the 9/11 memorial ceremony at the International Transit Center in Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 11, 2013. Mayor is assigned to the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Theater Security Cooperation.
U.S. troops perform during a 9/11 memorial ceremony at the International Transit Center in Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 11, 2013. The ceremony allowed service members and personnel an opportunity to pay respect to the first responders of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Goodell rings a bell nine times in memory and tribute to the fallen firefighters of Sept. 11, 2001, during a 9/11 commemoration ceremony at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 11, 2013. Goodell, a firefighter, is assigned to the 386thAir Expeditionary Wing.
Chief (Select) Boatswain’s Mates Allan Hawthorne, left, and Chief (Select) Boatswain’s Mate Dundee Fangon, both assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), prepare the national ensign for colors during a Patriot Day ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jonathan T. Erickson)
All photos and captions: DOD
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.