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PAYING TRIBUTE — Personnel from U.S. Central Command and the MacDill Air Force Base take part in a 9-11 memorial parade in Tampa, Florida. Photo by Photographers Mate First Class Gary P. Bonaccorso, USN Story

PENTAGON OBSERVANCE

U.S. Forces Face Great Task,
Great Danger in Terror War

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

  WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2002 — U.S. President George Bush said that "the greatest tasks and the greatest dangers will fall to the armed forces of the United States" as the country continues its war on the terrorists who struck America Sept. 11, 2001.
   Bush, speaking at the Pentagon observance of the one-year anniversary of the attacks, said the nation mourns all those who died in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. "The murder of innocents cannot be explained, only endured," he said. "And though they died in tragedy, they did not die in vain."
   He said the terrorists attacked the Pentagon because it is a symbol of America's might and resolve. "The terrorists chose this target hoping to demoralize this country," he said. "They failed. Within minutes brave men and women were rescuing their comrades. Within hours, in this building, the planning began for a military response." Story

Terrorists Tried to Instill Fear, Hate;
Americans Respond with Resolve

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2002 — U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld echoed Gettysburg Address when he told those attending the Pentagon observance of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack "that we meet on a battlefield" of the war on terrorism.
Rumsfeld spoke during the observance, entitled "United in Freedom." The ceremony's stage was built next to the spot where American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the building at 9:37 a.m. Sept. 11, 2001. Story

. Pace Talks Threat-Level, Details War Progress

. U.S. Heightens Threat Level of Terrorist Attack

United in Freedom (9 Photos)

U.S. F-16 fighter jets fly over the Sept. 11 Pentagon memorial service.

. Mountain Sweep #2 (8)	. Mountain Sweep (5)
. Good Morning, Pentagon (9)	. In Tbilisi, Georgia #2 (7)
. Fire Training (5)	. In Tbilisi, Georgia (9)
More photos

Myers Reflects on Year Since 9-11

Rumsfeld: Attack on Iraq Would be Self-Defense

Air Force Radio News

Rumsfeld's 9-11 Message to Troops

'Give Thanks' Kiosk Donated to Pentagon

Air Force Television News


	. Afghanistan	. Pentagon Reconstruction
	. Bin Laden and Al Qaeda	. Special Ops
	. Coalition Support	. Terrorist Groups
	. Commando Solo	. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
	. "Denial and Deception"	. U.S. Assistance to Afghans
	. Marine Expeditionary Units	. U.S. Policy On Africa
	. Operational Security	. Weather

Database. Click here for more information about various military systems and equipment used in the war against terrorism.

Sep 11, 2002

Send your thanks to the men and women of the U.S. military by signing this
online thank you note

Reflections on Sept. 11;
A Day of Terror

By Rudi Williams
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2002 — Sept. 11, 2001, was a helluva welcome to the Pentagon, Army Spc. John W. Hoffman, 26, recalls today. It was his second day on his new job when he and two civilian co-workers were knocked to the floor by a huge explosion. An airliner had slammed into the building about 100 feet from their new office. On the first anniversary of the terrorist attack, Hoffman and other Pentagon employees reflect on that tragic day. Story

Photo American flags and other patriotic expressions decorate Juan Benavides' hard hat. Benavides, a native of El Salvador, was one of the workers involved with Project Phoenix, the reconstruction of the area of the Pentagon destroyed in the Sept. 11 terror attack. Photo by Jim Garamone.

Wolfowitz Salutes
Phoenix Project Heroes

By By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON — Some 3,000 people helped rebuild the damaged sections of the 60-year-old Pentagon by the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. The deadline was not a condition of the contract — the workers imposed it on themselves. On Wednesday, U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz praised construction workers and others who helped make the Pentagon whole again one year after Flight 77 slammed into the building's western
wall. Story

Former soldier Donald Patterson said he drove from New Jersey to attend the Pentagon's Sept. 11, 2002, anniversary observance of the terrorist attack on the building. His wife's cousin, Army Lt. Col. Karen Wagner, died in the attack. Photo by Gerry J. Gilmore.

Pentagon People Look Back

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

   WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2002 — When a hijacked airliner destroyed 184 innocent lives here a year ago today, life at the Pentagon became horribly surreal for victims' families and the building's military and civilian employees.
   The old, battered western facade, scarred by licking flames and searing smoke, was demolished. Today, the Pentagon has a brand-new, bright limestone wall. Gone, too, are the confused cries, screaming sirens — and death.
   Before attending, or viewing, the one-year anniversary observance ceremony of the attack, some Pentagon and non-Pentagon employees took time to share their feelings. Story

. Latest CENTCOM News

. Central Command Not Moving to Qatar

. Air Defense Exercise Status Changes

. Exercise Tests D.C. Air Defense Capabilities

. National Guard, Reserve Update

. Yeoman Stayed to Help

. Army Reservist Writes After-Action Report

We Remember Their Sacrifice - Sept. 11, 2002, marked the beginning of the war on terrorism. But it also brought a tragic end to a multitude of lives. Here we honor those who died in the attack on the Pentagon.