9/8/2011 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNS) -- U.S. Air Force Academy officials have scheduled a memorial and dedication ceremony here Sept. 9 to honor past and present heroes who have defended the United States' national interests.
The first is the Academy's annual Homecoming Memorial Ceremony to honor graduates who have died in the past year. Immediately following will be the 9/11 Memorial Dedication Ceremony, during which a girder from the World Trade Center will be dedicated to people who died during the 9/11 attacks.
At the Homecoming Memorial Ceremony, 74 deceased Academy graduates will be recognized, officials said. This includes those who have died of combat-related or other causes since last year's ceremony. Each cadet's name, the year of the cadet's graduation and the last cadet squadron he or she was assigned will be announced. The current cadet squadron commander will then respond, "Absent, sir."
The memorial will serve as a daily reminder to cadets, faculty and staff of the sacrifices made on 9/11 at the World Trade Center, The Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pa., Academy officials said. It will also be a reflection on the continued service and sacrifices made by military members, their families and first responders.
The ceremony will include remarks by Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, the Academy superintendent; Don Addy, the National Homeland Defense Foundation president; and Cadet First Class Samantha Reep, the Cadet Wing commander.
(Courtesy of the U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs)
