JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Members of Joint Base Andrews and their families paid their respects for Patriot's Day at Heritage Park on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sept. 11, 2015.
This year marks the 14th anniversary of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
"We should take time to reflect on those who gave their lives that day, modern day heroes, and the service of countless Airmen, Marines, Sailors and Soldiers in the fight for freedom," said Col. Bradley Hoagland, JBA/11th Wing commander.
The flight of first responders from JBA memorialized distinguished first responders from the attacks on Sept. 11. The event also featured a large American flag suspended from a firefighter cherry-picker, a UH-1N Twin Huey from the 1st Helicopter Squadron and formations of first responders and base personnel.
Reveille was played at 8:00 a.m., preceding a moment of silence and the playing of taps to remember and pay respect to those who died in the attacks.
The event also honored the 113th D.C. Air National Guard wing, in addition to other National Capital Region entities, that sprang into action on 9/11.
"The 113th launched two F-16 Fighting Falcons to protect the skies over Washington D.C.," Hoagland said. "The two pilots were ordered to intercept flight 193, without any munitions. That meant they would need to crash into the plane to bring it down. However, the heroes onboard Flight 193 did it instead."
JBA personnel, Layne Hoppman, who was a member of the Presidential Air Lift Group Phoenix Ravens, and Patricia Mosely a Staff Sgt. With the 11th Force Support Squadron, who directly contributed during the attacks on Sept. 11th were specially recognized.
"I was a member of the Presidential Raven team at the time of 9/11," Hoppman said. "I was flying on Air Force One with the President. It was terrible. You never forget what happened when you're closely involved in a national emergency of that magnitude."
"I was working at the fitness center during the attack," said Mosely. "The building had to be evacuated and military members had to be recalled. I was deployed to Dover to escort bodies. Every anniversary of 9/11 makes me feel like I just got back from Dover today."
To pay respects to those who were effected by 9/11, taps was also played four times during Patriot's Day, at 8:46, 9:03, 9:37 and 10:07 a.m.
"Let us re-dedicate ourselves to the ideals that make our nation great, and remember the heroes that have gone before us - and the heroes in our midst today," Hoagland said.