Airman rings ‘Bell of Remembrance’

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. David A. Jablonski
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON --  One of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year helped the U.S. Senate pay tribute to the victims of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on America.

Senior Master Sgt. Thomas McConnell represented the Air Force in a ceremony Sept. 11 to introduce the Senate Resolution of Remembrance. McConnell is an 18th Munitions Squadron munitions material superintendent stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan. He was joined outside the Senate floor by a soldier, sailor, Marine and Coast Guardsman.

McConnell, a Tennessee native, is in the nation’s Capitol to participate in the Air Force Association convention the week of Sept. 15. However, a tropical storm sent him to the city early. His arrival led to an invitation to represent the Air Force in the ceremony held by the Senator Bill Frist, who represents Tennessee.

McConnell’s biography happened to be in the Air Force legislative liaison office where Lt. Col. John W. McCance spotted the Tennessee connection.

“When I saw that, I knew we had get him here,” McCance said.

McConnell, a self-described quiet guy, jumped at the chance.

“I was truly honored, first of all, just to be in Washington, D.C., and to see ... our Capitol and the historic landmarks,” McConnell said. “I’m even more honored to participate in a ceremony that is so important to America as well as the military.”

Frist and Senator Tom Daschle joined the military representatives and rang the bell once to initiate the first of four moments of silence. The servicemembers took turns ringing the bell, each ring corresponding to the time an aircraft crashed. McConnell rang the bell at 9:38 a.m. His turn signified the impact on the Pentagon.