Sigonella Remembers

By ET2 Rebecca Moore / NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force

A new ceremonial fire pit is dedicated to NAS Sigonella during a 9/11 memorial ceremony.

U.S. Navy photo by MR2 Kyle Drummond.

On September 11, 2019, service members and civilians gathered on Naval Air Station Sigonella to honor and memorialize those affected by the terrorist attacks 18 years ago. Guests vowed to “Never Forget” the four coordinated attacks that targeted the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Flight 93 killed 2,977 and injured more than 6,000.

“We are ever mindful of the sacrifice of emergency responders who demonstrated the highest ethic of love by laying their lives down that others might live,” said Chaplain Ryan Albano during his invocation. “May we who live on, live lives that would be worthy of the sacrifice given by so many that day.”

Master of ceremonies, Master Sgt. Danielle Heiser, invited members of the crowd to share their own stories of where they were that day. Lt. Cmdr. Lynn Skinner, a registered nurse at U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella, described how her husband, a firefighter, was dispatched to the scene at the Pentagon.

NAS Sigonella Executive Officer Cmdr. Patrick Moran also recalled his time in the air on that day as a flight instructor, and being immediately recalled to base. “I saw the South Tower fall and instantly knew the world was a different place,” said Moran. “Watching the events and learning the stories and the history of what happened on that day forever changed my outlook on first responders.”

Chief petty officer selectees have become annual facilitators of the event . In what has now become tradition, the selectees paid tribute to the fallen by performing the passingof-the-flag and fire pit dedication. This year, the American flag was ceremoniously presented to local blacksmith artist Mario Pesce, who designed the new memorial fire pit.

In the aftermath of the attacks, 16,000 first responders have reported illness attributed to their time spent at ground zero. Thousands have reported PTSD, cancer, and other ailments, and over 3,000 have reported suicidal thoughts or gestures.

In her remarks, Skinner reminded the crowd to stay compassionate and attentive to those living with long-term physical and mental health effects of that day.

“We thought the funerals were hard, but every day is hard,” said Skinner. “I ask that you be good shipmates and good community members. Be intrusive so we can continue to save lives.”