September 11 is a day marked by tragedy and infamy, forever changing the nation. Looking back on the 22nd memorial of 9/11, its significance returns back into the spotlight.
Doug Morris, a Retired Army Chief Warrant Officer III, remembers the day clearly. “I was in my barracks room at Fort Hood, Texas getting ready to go to work when all the stuff happening came on the news,” said Morris. While the rest of the world watched in horror, Morris and the rest of his unit prepared for the possibility of deployment.
Two weeks later, Morris learned he was leaving base camp. “We were deploying to Kuwait in response to the attacks and to show force at the Kuwait border,” he explained. Morris is one of 1.9 million U.S. Service members sent overseas during Operation Enduring Freedom. The operation was the foreign affairs response to the 9/11 attacks.
After spending time in Kuwait, Morris served an additional three tours in Iraq. “Things got really busy at work,” he described. “I spent a lot of time away from my family.”
Max Sorgenfrey, a Pleasant Valley senior, had a much simpler description of 9/11. “I know that it was a terrorist attack upon multiple locations: the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the White House. I know that it changed a lot of policies in America in regards to airports and airport security,” he shared.
Sorgenfrey credits his mom for explaining to him the importance of 9/11. “It was the most united she’s ever seen the country. I think that we could do better being closer, not just on 9/11, but all the time.” he responded.
Remembering Sept. 11th holds a different meaning for Morris. “I reflect on that day every year, fly my flag at half mast and think about the brave Americans that responded to those attacks at the Twin Towers. The people on those planes. The brave people on Flight 93 that fought back.” His previous commander was at the Pentagon when it was hit. The commander survived, but Morris lost multiple friends in Iraq and Afghanistan as a result of the attacks.
Families who lost loved ones from the attack still attend a yearly ceremony held at the 9/11 memorial. The ceremony features reading of the names of those lost in the tragedy, and moments of silence for the crashes and falling of the towers.
While decades separate the two, they share a similar viewpoint on why the youth should learn about 9/11. Morris concluded, “I think the younger generation should take a look at how first responders reacted, how citizens flocked to the recruiting stations to join the fight because they realized that freedom isn’t free and that complacency is our biggest enemy.”
