Fort Bragg, Fayetteville community unite for 9/11 remembrance ceremony
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WTVD) -- When Brig. Gen. David Fox struggled with a September 11th message for the Fort Bragg community, his 12-year-old grandson made it easy.
He told his PaPa to "talk about the two hours that changed the world."
Fox, a 33-year Army veteran, was the keynote speaker during the post's annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. As he went through a timeline of the day America came under attack, he asked the audience to close their eyes and remember where they were that day.
Fox remembers clearly. The then-battalion commander had just wrapped physical training exercises at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, when one of his captains came running down the unit hallway, telling him to turn on the television.
Within weeks, his Special Forces group was in Southern Afghanistan. Fox would become a primary advisor to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and the sacrifice of war quickly became apparent.
"Within a few days, my unit suffered its first causalities," he remembered. "Master Sgt. Jefferson Davis, Staff Sgts. Cody Prosser, and Dan Petithory. I made a promise to myself that day that I'll never forget, and I haven't, and I won't."
Neither will Staff Sgt. Alfredo Moran, who watched the smoke in the Manhattan sky from South Bronx High School where he was a sophomore. That day, he decided he would enlist. Thirteen years later, his patriotism remains the same.
"I know there's going to be sacrifices," he said, glancing from time to time at his parents, wife and infant daughter on the Main Post Parade field. "Whatever it is that we're doing there's going to be some sacrifices. So even if we have to sacrifice a couple of more people just to... for us to be safe, you know, I'll volunteer. I'll sacrifice myself if I have to."
While Moran is in the early stages of his career, Fox is preparing to retire. His most recent assignment was as Commanding General of the United States John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center on Fort Bragg. Looking over the next decade and current terror threats, he said he trusts in America's leadership to keep the country safe.
His confidence is in the next generation of leaders. And he's proud that his 12-year-old grandson, who helped him form his 9/11 address, is learning about what happened when he was in his mother's womb.
"It's easy to forget the devastation of that day, but I ask each of you not to forget the sacrifices of those who wear a uniform," Fox said. "When it's required they move forward to keep us all safe."
Thursday night, first responders in Fayetteville were treated to a concert by country music star Katie Armiger. She is on a worldwide tour to honor first responders, and to heighten awareness of just what they do. She called her performance a privilege.
"It just really hits home, because you know that they sacrifice so much for us, but I don't think you understand how much until you meet them and understand their experience" said Armiger.
For some of the first responders at the concert, the memories are still painful.
Shawn Simmons was an EMT/firefighter on active duty in the Army. He says he watched in horror as the Twin Towers fell, knowing many of his colleagues were trapped and died.
"To watch the World Trade Center fall and a lot of comrades perished in that so it's difficult for me," said Simmons. "It's heart-warming to me to see people come out and still recognizing and remembering those who put their lives on the line."
First responders say we must never forget the sacrifices in 9/11, and many at the concert Thursday night said they were grateful for the community's gratitude and support.
