Color Guard Team gets ready for presenting the colors.
Color Guard Team gets ready for presenting the colors.
TINIAN — On Sept. 11, 2023, the 22nd anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11, the Stallion Battalion as well as the entire Tinian Middle School and High School gathered together to honor 13 fallen heroes as well as to commemorate the victims of terrorist attacks.
The ceremony began with the posting of the colors, and the placement of 13 candles. Each candle represented the servicemembers who were killed in Afghanistan at Kabul airport. They included a soldier, a sailor and 11 Marines. Afterward, Tinian JROTC presented a video, “Have You Forgotten” which reminded all of the horrors, the sacrifices, and the events that happened on 9/11.
We interviewed a few cadets who participated in this year’s ceremony.
C/2LT Rchie Mae Lagunay said, “I felt sad seeing the video and hearing what happened to many individuals during the time of the event. It was sad but at the same time so beautiful because we had lit up candles and seeing all of it light up looked nice.”
“I believe it was a very sentimental moment, not just for me, but for everyone else that attended the ceremony. It was a strong reminder to never forget what was lost that day,” said C/CPL Adriel Lenteja.
“This year’s 9/11 ceremony was a real eye-opener. Though most attendees had work or school, they still managed to set aside time to attend the 9/11 ceremony,” said C/MAJ Ysabella Palacios. “It was nice to see the military here go out of their way to take part in an event like this and it was also nice to see people care deeply in remembering the lives lost during that fateful September morning in 2001.”
This ceremony was a way for us to honor and remember the sacrifices made during 9/11 and to also be grateful for what they’ve done and for what we have now because of them.
The Tinian JROTC Stallion Battalion would like to pay respects and share condolences to the loved ones, family, and friends of those who were victims of 9/11 as well as to the 13 fallen servicemembers.
Remember and Never Forget.
The 13 candles.
C/CPL Isa Dosalua places down one of the 13 candles.
