In honor of America's fallen, U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville employees hosted a moment of silence ceremony Sept. 11 at the organization.
Darrell Davis, chief of the Center's Resource Management Directorate, urged participants to keep the memory of the fallen alive in word and deed.
"On Sept. 11, 2001, we watched four jet planes crash into the New York Trade Center and the Pentagon, with the fourth jet taken back under control by brave passengers and crash into a small field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This day will be embedded in the memories of everyone who lived through it. As we think back on these tragic events, we ask you to honor their lives with a moment of silence to remember those who were injured or killed during the terrorist attacks, and for those who are deployed," Davis said.
Tonju Butler, chief of the Pre-award Branch in Huntsville Center's Contracting Directorate organized the event. She said she wanted to have an event included in their fiscal year end activities to acknowledge Patriot Day. Employees within the directorate were asked to wear red, white and blue for the occasion.
Huntsville Center Commander Col. Robert Ruch noted Patriot Day by sending a letter out to the workforce urging them to take time to thank those Huntsville Center employees who are deployed for their service. Currently, 16 Huntsville Center employees are deployed worldwide.
"In response to those (9-11) attacks, the United States launched a War on Terror in Afghanistan and later in Iraq because those nations were believed to be dangerous to American national security. Sadly the fight against terrorism continues because there are still evil people in this world that mean to harm us and others," Ruch said. "In all of these operations, the Corps of Engineers and the Huntsville Center play an important role. Our ability to deliver on requirements around the world has been critical to the successes to date and we need to think hard about the ongoing fight and where we can contribute. I thank each and every one of you for the contributions you have made over the past several years and ask that you consider what your role will be into the future. You may have deployed in the past or you may deploy in the future. You may work on projects from here that support the warfighter."
Butler said the event was good for the organization. She'd like to see it happen again next year at Huntsville Center.
"Everyone is busy at the Center during fiscal year end, but we needed to take the time to observe Patriot Day. We're doing this because we're mindful of the sacrifices others have made and are making for our freedom," Butler said. "I'm very fortunate to be a part of this."