DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Fifteen years ago on Sept. 11, 2001, the U.S. was forever changed when the terrorist group al-Qaida hijacked three passenger planes and carried out coordinated suicide attacks against the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. A fourth plane was crashed into a Pennsylvania field when the passengers and crew members of United Airlines Flight 93 attempted to take back control of their hijacked aircraft.
Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in the deadliest terror attack against the U.S. Fifteen years later on Sept. 11, 2016, Airmen at Dover AFB continued to remember the men, women and first responders who lost their lives by honoring them during the 15th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Service at the Air Mobility Command Museum.
On Sept. 11, 2013, the AMC Museum debuted their 9/11 Memorial which includes two pieces of steel from the World Trade Center, a rock from the United Airlines Flight 93 crash site and a block from the damaged portion of the Pentagon. Since then, the base’s Eagle Firefighters Association has held a memorial service on every September 11th.
Members of the local community, surrounding fire companies and law enforcement agencies attended the memorial service. The ceremony also caused attendees to reflect on where they were when the deadly attacks unfolded that day.
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Bill McMullen attended the memorial service and said he vividly remembers his experiences that day.
“I was working out at the command post on Andrews Air Force Base,” said McMullen. “We had TVs in the command post and of course we were moving assets to New York because, you know, New York was the big attack and then the plane hit the Pentagon, and that changed everything.”
While frantically working during and after the attacks, the overall stress of that day unexpectedly landed McMullen in the hospital.
“My left arm went numb and my chest began to hurt,” said McMullen. “The next think I know I was in an ambulance heading to [Walter Reed National Military Medical Center] and ended up doing cardiac CAST (cardiac arrhythmia suppression trial) because of the stress.”
Senior Airman Shawn Davis, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, delivered the opening speech for the memorial service. Davis recounted his whereabouts on that fateful day.
“I, myself was just a young boy from New Jersey, sitting in my parents’ bedroom with my mother watching this heart-breaking event unfold in front of our eyes,” said Davis. “Watching the heroes that day going through a literal living hell was devastating. We all knew what was expected of them as they went into those towers and they gave nothing less than the best service possible.”
The attacks of 9/11 caused an immediate spike in military recruitment. At the times of the attacks, Davis was too young to join the military, however it forever changed his future.
“As the years went on, that horrific day weighed heavily on my mind and ultimately has had a huge impact on the career choices I have made today,” said Davis. “I wanted to be a part of something that would protect this great nation from ever falling under attack like that again. That’s why I chose to wear this uniform and I’m sure the same can be said for many of us here today.”
Davis ended his speech with paying respects to the fallen as he looks forward to the future.
“As we move on from this horrific event, we shall press forward and continue to defend freedom so that another tragedy like this never takes place again,” said Davis. “We will never forget the 2,996 people that were lost on that day. They will live on forever and never be forgotten, thank you and God bless America.”
The memorial service culminated with a ringing of the bell, a fallen firefighter tradition, a laying of a ceremonial remembrance wreath and the playing of Amazing Grace by the Dover Police and Fire Pipes & Drums.
The 9/11 Memorial can be viewed year-round at the AMC Museum and is open and free to the public Tuesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.