Kunsan Airmen, guests remember 9-11 with Patriot Day Ceremony

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Members of the 8th Fighter Wing and the Republic of Korea air force's 38th Fighter Group held a September 11 Patriot Day Ceremony here to honor and remember those who were lost that day in 2001.

A formation of 8th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, 8th Security Forces Squadron defenders and 8th Medical Group first responders along with more than 150 members in attendance, both Korean and American, stood silent as the base honor guard began the ceremony with the raising of the flag and the playing of the Korean and American national anthems.

After prayers for the firefighters, emergency responders, security forces and military, Col. Janet Deltuva, 8th Medical Group commander, shared a personal story. She was at the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 struck, killing 125 people in the building and all 59 passengers onboard.

"My purpose is to share my experience so that you feel like you were there with me," she said.

Colonel Deltuva was in a part of the building that was not hit. While evacuating the building, she went to the Pentagon courtyard to assist the other medical personnel there.
 
"When I got to the courtyard, the scene was horrible," she said pausing to collect herself. "There were people gasping for air because their lungs were choked with smoke. Many people had burns and others were in shock. One man was in pretty bad shape with extremely burned skin."

Colonel Deltuva quickly began assisting anyone who needed it.

"There is no life experience that prepares you for this," she said. "I had military readiness training where we pretended a plane had crashed ... Maybe, some of the day, I was doing some of that pretending, pretending this was an exercise. I guess that's why we train so much ... everything becomes surreal and almost automatic so you can get through it when you really need to," she said, visibly distraught.

She continued that while they were attending to victims, they were warned to evacuate the area because there was an inbound plane two minutes out. 

"We heard the roar of an airplane getting closer and closer," she said.  "We scrambled to take cover and protect our patients as best as we could. Then someone yelled, 'It's one of our guys, it's an F-16.' Through the cheers and tears in the courtyard, I felt freedom like I had never experienced before." 

She ended with the hope that members in the audience felt like she had felt that day.

"My purpose is to share my experience so that you feel like you were there with me, so you understand what it feels like to be terrified of airpower and liberated by airpower ... that you remember September 11, 2001, because we must never forget," she said.

Following those words, Col. Jerry Harris, 8th Fighter Wing commander, also spoke on the subject.

"We honor those who perished that fateful day by carrying on the mission," he said. "Many of the (Kunsan) family have served multiple deployments for operations Enduring (Freedom) and Iraqi Freedom. In the face of so much terror, you are the great Americans who rose above the fears of so many.

"Our Republic of Korea brothers in arms have served as well," he continued. "We have great partners in the Republic of Korea armed forces. They are committed members of a coalition who have fought side-by-side with us. About 6,000 ROK armed forces members have served with us during OEF and 200,000 have served with us for OIF. You, my (Kunsan) Airmen and ROKAF brothers, answered the call that came in that day and have risked your life to save so many others," he said.

As three volleys were shot into the air, as Taps played solemnly and the flag was lowered to half-staff, four ROKAF F-16s performed a fly by in the solemn missing man formation.

"Thank you for your service, your commitment and your effort for the (Air Force)," Colonel Harris said. "It's an honor to serve with you today and in the future as we continue to defend democracy throughout the world."