NORFOLK, Va. — It goes down as one of the darkest days in American history. And on this, the 23rd anniversary, Naval Station Norfolk paused to remember 9/11.
At the flag plaza across from the base's headquarters building, sailors conducted a solemn ceremony, including morning colors, a recitation of the timeline of events on that horrific day, a wreath-laying and the playing of "Taps."
It was all in remembrance of what former President George W. Bush called "evil, despicable acts of terror."
"The attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the courageous actions that thwarted further destruction on board flight 93 left an indelible mark on our collective conscience," said Capt. Matt Schlarmann, Naval Station Norfolk Commanding Officer.
The event's keynote speaker was Retired Master Chief Sonar Technician Paul Abney, a USS Cole survivor, who said the families touched by both terrorist attacks are still suffering.
"It is still a thorn that they deal with each and every day," he said.
Organizers of the ceremony said it's important for current day sailors--who may not have even been born when 9/11 happened--to learn about it. And never forget.
"It's part of our charge to make sure that sailors are not just trained and developed, but know the history and the heritage, the good and the bad. We want them to remember, because it's important," said Naval Station Norfolk Command Master Chief Ian Thompson.
In the days which followed 9/11, the Navy responded in a big way, sending numerous Hampton Roads-based warships and thousands of Hampton Roads-based sailors.
According to the Pentagon, a total of 85 Navy personnel suffered hostile deaths in the post-9/11 war in Afghanistan that came to be called Operation Enduring Freedom.