On the morning of September 11, 2023, twenty-two years after the day that would disrupt American history forever, dozens gathered at the 177th Fighter Wing NJ Air National Guard base in Egg Harbor Township to reflect, share, and honor the solemn day that continues to profoundly affect generations of Americans.
The ceremony began promptly at 10:03 am, to coincide with the final moments of Flight 93, the California-bound plane on which American civilians derailed the intended path to destruction, crashing the plane near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, sacrificing 44 lives. Following an invocation by the 177th Fighter Wing Chaplain Rella and a breathtaking rendition of The National Anthem by Staff Sergeant Rob McMurrary (ret.), attendees were greeted by a flyover by four Jersey Devil F-16 Fighting Falcons.
The event served as both a dedication for a new 9/11 memorial as well as a sendoff for the 177th Fighter Wing’s upcoming deployment. The 300 airmen set to deploy to Southwest Asia were represented by a 52-airmen formation as each guest speaker took to the microphone.
Speakers included Congressman Donald Norcross, Congressman Jeff Van Drew, and Former Congressman Frank LoBiondo. Each spent their time at the podium speaking to the somberness of the day and their gratitude for the first responders, civilians, and the United States Military for their bravery both in 2001 and today.
Congressman Van Drew made a poignant statement noting that the feelings of 9/11 were indescribable. Still, the American spirit in the days, weeks, and months that followed was to never to be forgotten.
“You know what I could describe?” he asked rhetorically. “I could describe how the United States of America came together. There was no Black; there was no White; there was no Hispanic; there was no Asian; there were no Californians; there were no Nebraskans; there were no New Jerseyans, or Pennsylvanians, or New Yorkers. We were all New Yorkers. We were all Americans.”
Keynote speaker Former Congressman Frank LoBiondo echoed those sentiments as he shared his experience of being in the United States Capitol Building on the morning of 9/11. As he told stories of being evacuated and the safety precautions of the day, he stated, “So many epitomized the American spirit that day.”
The former congressman went on to explain that threats to America never cease, stating, “We rely on everyone to their job; certainly the military, the men and women in uniform. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your willingness to sacrifice.”
Following the solemn but inspiring messages, five wreaths were laid on the new memorial, which features two steel beams recovered from Ground Zero displayed on a base in the shape of The Pentagon. Each wreath represented the lives lost and the sacrifices made at the North Tower, South Tower, The Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA, respectively, with the fifth wreath laid as a final act to the dedicating of the memorial.
Following the ceremony, attendees were invited to join the 177th Fighter Wing Airmen and the congressmen in attendance for light refreshments and an oral history of 9/11, as well as shuttles to view the static display of a Jersey Devil F-16.
By: Krystle J Bailey
Photo Credit: Jeff Deckman, Radar Contact Photography
