Army Garrison Prepares for Milestone 9/11 Commemoration

Sept. 8, 2026 | By Anna Ciccotti, U.S. Army Garrison Italy |

A quarter of a century after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, U.S. Army Garrison Italy soldiers, military police and firefighters will gather alongside local Italian officials in Padua, Italy, for a solemn 25th anniversary commemoration at the Memory and Light memorial.

"Returning to [Padua] for this milestone 25th anniversary observance will allow us to pay tribute to the lives lost and honor the enduring strength of our alliance," said Army Col. Vaughn D. Strong Jr., U.S. Army Garrison Italy commander. "Our soldiers and firemen look forward to standing together with our Italian partners to ensure the legacy of that day is never forgotten."

Designed by Daniel Libeskind, the world renowned architect behind the ground zero master plan in New York City, the memorial features a 55-foot glass structure shaped like an open book, its "pages" pointing directly toward New York and the Statue of Liberty. Enclosed within the glass is a 19-foot twisted steel beam recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, one of Europe's most poignant physical ties to the site.

For leaders, the anniversary underscores the shared values that bind American and Italian first responders.

"Having this piece of ground zero right here in Veneto, just down the road from where we serve at Caserma Ederle and Del Din, is profoundly meaningful," said Luca Giaretta, deputy fire chief for USAG Italy fire and emergency services. "It serves as a physical touchstone connecting our local Italian community with our American military colleagues, reminding us why our daily partnership and joint readiness matter so much."

Harold R. Persons, fire chief for USAG Italy fire and emergency services, emphasized the depth of that connection.

"We are deeply appreciative of [the local fire department] for their continuous efforts to memorialize and show their respect for not only the 343 firefighters, but all 412 emergency workers and the 2,753 civilians who lost their lives in the horrific attack at the World Trade Center," he said. "Sharing in this annual remembrance ceremony with our fellow firefighters, police and other emergency responders at the memorial site in [Padua] honors the sacrifice of those who gave their lives attempting to save others."

As the decades pass, ceremonies at the memorial take on new significance for younger generations of military members and firefighters who were not yet born in 2001.

Army Lt. Col. Jonathan Kuhn, provost marshal and director of garrison emergency services, highlighted how the milestone bridges the past and future for today's service members.

"Marking 25 years at the 9/11 monument reminds today's military police, soldiers and first responders that our mission is rooted in sacrifice, vigilance and service to something larger than ourselves," he said. "For those serving now, it is both a tribute to those who answered the call after 9/11 and a renewed commitment to protecting our communities with professionalism, discipline and readiness."

Kuhn added that standing side by side with Italian partners sends a clear message to the local community.

"I hope they see a shared commitment to remembrance, resilience and service," he said. "American and Italian crews standing side by side at the monument sends a simple message: tragedy can cross borders, but so can solidarity, partnership and the duty to stand together in its aftermath."

Ultimately, the commemoration ensures that the standard set on 9/11 endures. As Kuhn noted, "Ceremonies like this help make sure 9/11 is not just something younger firefighters read about but something they feel connected to as part of their professional identity. They reinforce that duty, sacrifice and service to others are not abstract ideals; they are the standard we inherit and the one we are responsible for carrying forward."

SMC honors events of 9/11

by Maj. Hamilton Underwood
Space and Missile Systems Center

9/11/2015 - LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, El Segundo, Calif.  -- The city of Hawthorne held a ceremony today, commemorating the events of 14 years ago when the peaceful, clear blue skies in New York City, and a sunny morning in Washington, D.C. and rural Pennsylvania was plunged into darkness, shattered by acts of terror.

Hosted by Mayor Chris Brown at Hawthorne City Hall, the event was attended by many first responders and community leaders including Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center and Air Force Program Executive Officer for Space. Col. Donna Turner, commander of the 61st Air Base Group at Los Angeles AFB was also in attendance.

"As the Secretary of Defense Ash Carter stated in his remarks earlier today at the Pentagon about those families who lost loved ones, 'We will never forget - though try as we may, we can never really know how you feel on this solemn day'," said Greaves. "This anniversary is a poignant reminder of the real dangers our country still faces, but it's also an opportunity for all of us to remember those we've lost and to strengthen our resolve to keep our country safe."

"9/11 ceremonies provide an opportunity for service members to pause and reflect on why we wear the uniform," Turner said. "It's a particular honor to be invited to the city of Hawthorne's 9/11 memorial ceremony because with the first responders and the public present it's a reminder that we're all here for each  other as one team."

Turner related where she was on that tragic day and the helplessness she felt as the events unfolded.

"I was stationed in Germany on 9/11 as the deputy chief of command protocol with Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base," said Turner. "I remember watching the news as the planes struck the twin towers and the Pentagon, and wanting to be able to help -- and frustrated we were so far away from home and couldn't assist."

"We are here to remember those we lost on that fateful day, September 11, 2001 -- a day those future generations not yet born will hear stories of courage and sacrifice. Of co-workers who helped strangers down the stairs to safety. Of firefighters and first responders who braved the flaming towers to rescue those still trapped inside," said Greaves.

"In the face of terror, we bound ourselves in hope and compatriots among one another to find strength and courage--a trait found in all of us, as Americans. On behalf of the men and women of Space and Missile Systems Center, it is an honor to be here and join you as we immortalize the memories of the loved ones we lost," Greaves shared.

Greaves pointed out the act of terror claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent lives, including 184 Americans at the Pentagon, making it the deadliest act of terror in the nation's history. Since then, American families have endured multiple deployments of men and women in uniform who stepped forward to defend freedom over 14 long years of global war against terror.

"Since then, the physical damages have been repaired; memorials were erected to honor the victims of the attack. But time has not lessened the solemn memories of our loved ones who lost their lives to the tragic 9/11 event," stated Greaves.

"When this day is done and as we move on with our lives and tend to our children, we will always remember that our spirit is strong, our resolve is unwavering, and our liberty still stands," said Greaves.