What’s INSIDE
Fisher House hosts run See page B-1
Remembering 9/11 See page A-2
September 14, 2018
ROK Navy to host cultural event See page B-3
Learn about science at the library See page B-4
www.issuu.com/navyregionhawaii www.hookelenews.com
Volume 9 Issue 36
Aloha O’Kane and Wayne E. Meyer
Photos by MC1 Corwin M. Colbert
Aloha means hello and goodbye: Navy Region Hawaii welcomes USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), which arrived this week to its new homeport at JBPHH, and bids farewell to USS O’Kane (DDG 77). O’Kane was commissioned in Pearl Harbor Oct. 23, 1999 and has been homeported here for nearly 19 years. It has departed for its new home, San Diego.
JBPHH holds 9/11 remembrance ceremony Erin Huggins Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam Public Affairs At 8:03 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 11, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam held a small remembrance ceremony at Federal Fire Station Six to honor the memories of those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The ceremony began promptly following morning colors, and was attended by approximately 150 people. The audience, made up of Sailors, Airmen, civilian employees and residents, was seated in the open bay of the fire station, with a view of the flight line. Flanked by fire trucks and the Air Force Honor Guard, the attendees were asked to begin the event by standing for a rendition of “God Bless America” and the na-
tional anthem, performed by two members of the Air Force Band of the Pacific. The song and anthem were followed by the Firefighter’s Prayer, the Security Forces Prayer, the Corpsman’s Prayer, and a short summary by the master of ceremonies about the terrorism that occurred 17 years ago that day. The attacks on the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon and aboard Flight 93 left a lasting mark on many Americans, especially those who are first responders. Gregg Moriguchi, regional fire chief for the Federal Fire Department was the first speaker at the day’s ceremony. “The 9/11 remembrance ceremony serves to remind us of the events that occurred this day in 2001, and also the countless acts of heroism, sacrifice and devotion to duty displayed by
Photo by MC2 Charles Oki
firefi hter uniform and folded meri an a re t at the ba e the eremonial bell emergency responders and ordinary citizens,” he said. Moriguchi then introduced the day’s special guest, Joseph Wassel. Wassel was in the Pentagon when it was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001. He retold the stories of
heroism that took place at the Pentagon that day and about the quick response by his boss, then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. “On days like today we turn around and we look back and we remember, we respect, we reflect and
we try and reconcile what happened on that day,” Wassel said. “And then we turn right around with purpose, passion and patriotism to move forward and do what we do every day.” Col. W. Halsey Burks, commander, 15th Wing,
MAKING IT OFFICIAL
Chief ele tee will offi iall be ome hief pett offi er at Hickam Memorial Chapel today! Pi up the Ho o ele ne t wee for photo
was the final speaker of the day. He emphasized that ordinary citizens answered the call 17 years ago. “Hundreds of first responders rushed to the scene in Manhattan,” he said. “A desperate race against time to save, rescue and evacuate as many as they could inside the burning towers. These men and women were everyday Americans.” After the speakers all concluded their reflections a bell was positioned at the front of the podiums. The “striking the four fives” was performed by the fire department. This tolling of the bell, a firefighter tradition, is a way of honoring those who were killed in the 9/11 attacks. The last bell rang out, signifying the end of watch and the ceremony concluded with a firing of volleys and the playing of taps.