By Tim Cherry
Staff writer
Thursday, September 13, 2012

The U.S. Army Cyber Command/2nd Army honored those lost on and after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks during a remembrance ceremony in front of the Nolan Building Tuesday afternoon.

Under a clear blue sky reminiscent of the tragic day, Lt. Gen. Rhett A. Hernandez, Commanding General U.S. Army Cyber Command/2nd Army, spoke of the senseless acts of the terrorists, and the selfless efforts of ordinary people turned extraordinary heroes.

“On Sept. 11, 2001 we witnessed acts of terrorism unlike anything ever seen before,” said Hernandez. “We also witnessed acts of bravery that have become the hallmark of our armed forces.”

Hernandez added the day is a day to remember the almost 3,000 lives lost on Sept. 11, but also remember the more than 2 million of our all-volunteer troops who have served in war zones since then.

He wanted everyone to remember the Gold Star Families of the nation’s fallen heroes and the 40,000 Wounded Warriors, the more than 1 million spouses and 2 million children, most of whom have lived their entire lives with the country at war.

“We can’t say enough about our Families,” said Hernandez. “The parents and relatives of servicemembers, all of whom have borne heavy burdens while their loved ones have been deployed.”

However, the Army has become more versatile over the last 11 years and is able to adapt to a changing and volatile world, according to Hernandez. Unlike earlier conflicts, the 9/11 generation is comprised entirely of volunteers who chose to serve our nation at war.

“In the last 11 years, Army Soldiers have earned more than 14,000 Awards of Valor, more than 600 Silver Stars, 23 Distinguished Service Crosses and six Medals of Honor,” said Hernandez. “This is what an all-volunteer Army can do.”

Staff Sgt. Rick Leung is one of the many volunteers who have offered their service to the military since Sept. 11. Leung, who was 27 years old when the attacks happened, joined the Army at age 30.

“That day really woke me up and made me want to do what I can to help the country, so I decided to join the military,” said Leung. “The war was still going on, so I wanted to do what I can to help out and stop terrorists from pulling off another attack.”

Leung said even though no one can bring back those we’ve lost, our military can do what it can to protect the lives we still have.

“Technology has improved since 9/11,” said Leung. “Hopefully, we can keep that up and use the new advances to our advantage and keep our country safe.”

Sgt. Maj. Jesse Cofield, Army Cyber Command, Army G-1 was deployed to Saudi Arabia on Sept. 11 and said you don’t know the full impact of the attacks until you have felt the impact of knowing someone who lost his or her life that day.

“I would tell you, having known people that were lost and some that survived, it resonates a deep emotional feeling for you to do all you can to protect and serve your country,” said Cofield. “I had friends at the Pentagon. One individual had just left the organization in Saudi Arabia I was with and was reassigned to the Pentagon and lost his life as a result.”

The Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks have put enormous strain on the military for more than a decade, but the strain has proven the resolve our servicemembers have, according to Hernandez.

“Despite the enormous strain of more than a decade of war, our military remains the strongest it’s ever been,” said Hernandez. “Thanks to the commitment and character of the 9/11 generation, we have the best trained, best led and best equipped fighting force in history.”