New York's Ground Zero Flag Brings Coalition Troops Together
(March 12, 2011) |
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| BAGRAM, Afghanistan (March 2, 2011) – An important reminder
of why international troops are serving in Afghanistan and
Iraq has been traveling throughout Afghanistan; a United
States flag that has been soaring above the construction
site at New York City's Ground Zero. |
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michelle Fournier, a
California resident and the senior enlisted
advisor to the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion
commander, has been entrusted with the flag that
had been on display until being passed to
soldiers from her unit and Regional Command –
East, from Fort Dix, N.J., March 1.
“The
New York Port Authority flies the flag at the
construction site and has a program where you
can pick up the flag and take it with you
overseas to symbolize the reasons why we're
here,” explained Fournier. “The intent is to
show the American flag and support of |
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Members of A Company,
1-69 Aviation Regiment, hold the flag from
Ground Zero, as snow falls at Bagram Air
Base, Afghanistan, March 2, 2011. The 1-69 fly
Blackhawk helicopters on various missions, from
escorting VIPs to transporting detainees. Photo
by British Sgt. Chris Hargreaves |
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coalition forces here in Afghanistan; the
appreciation and to serve as a reminder of why
we're here.” |
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International troops have been serving in Afghanistan for
almost 10 years now and for some, the reasons for multiple
deployments, loss of friends, time away from family are
starting to be forgotten. These U.S. colors are meant to
serve as a reminder of why troops are so far away from home,
often fighting for their lives daily.
For 1st Sgt.
Dennis Hicks, B Company, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion first
sergeant, the memories of 9/11 are still quite vivid.
“In an off-hand way we actually witnessed the attack,”
said Hicks, who is a New York resident and works at Long
Island University's Brooklyn campus. “We saw the plane hit
the second tower. It sort of defines the reason for the flag
to be traveling around. I wasn't as close as some people to
that attack; I didn't lose any family, but I think the day
of that attack really brought people together. Its probably
one of the worst things to ever happen on [US] soil.
“I don't think anything could prepare you for that. To
watch thousands of people coming across the Brooklyn Bridge
covered in dust. And days afterward...you could smell the
burning going on days later.”
The memories are not
only fresh for Hicks, but for Fournier, as well.
“I
know as a California Highway Patrol officer in Los Angeles,
what I saw was amazing,” she said. “We usually have bumper
to bumper traffic almost 24 hours a day over 8 lanes of
highway. [On 9/11] the roads were deserted and it was very
eerie. The country was under attack and everybody just took
shelter. I have never in my life seen Los Angeles like that,
ever. And slowly the cars would come back out on the highway
and they all had American flags flying from their cars. It
brought the country together, like [1st Sgt. Hicks] said.”
For many who actually witnessed the attack in New York
and the Pentagon, the flag holds a special meaning. The flag
brought many emotions to several soldiers. Fournier even had
the opportunity to raise the colors with the French, who
played their national anthem as a sign of respect for all
that has been done and for those who have sacrificed to
serve their respective countries.
“What it's really
done is amazing to me; to see what it's brought to coalition
forces and soldiers,” Fournier said. “I've actually come
across a lot of soldiers who personally were at Ground Zero
working as firefighters, police officers and a lot of my
soldiers were called to ground zero to provide aid in
different capacities.”
During the travels of the
flag, many were present to witness its arrival. It has been
to many places throughout Afghanistan, some more dangerous
than others, and it has survived its year-long travels.
Fournier recalled one such location. “One of the most
hostile places was up in the Pech Valley at Forward
Operating Base Blessing. It went there, stayed there, and it
was safe through many nights of mortar attacks,” she said.
“Any place it goes, it brings a sense of freedom with it,
and it's a symbol of that freedom and the sacrifices of the
American people and what all the coalition forces try to
bring Afghanistan and the Afghan people.”
The flag,
which was picked up from the New York City Port Authority
March 1, 2010, will be returned shortly after the 404th's
redeployment. After its return, it will eventually be placed
in the 9/11 museum with the names of all who visited the
flag while in Afghanistan.
“To me, it shows the world
we haven't diminished,” said Hicks. “The flag represents our
country. It's been to Iraq and Afghanistan and we're going
to return it to the 9/11 site.
“In general, I think
there will be an initial excitement about it. But the war's
been going on so long, I think it'll be good to get the flag
back there.”
As the flag makes it return, it will
make a last stop at Manas. Manas has a special place in this
flag's history as it was the first stop upon it's entry into
Afghanistan, where a brief ceremony was held at Pete's
Place. Pete's Place is dedicated to the fallen of 9/11.
“The flag has visited 671 people so far,” said Fournier.
“By the time we actually leave it will have seen over 700.
“Everybody over here really gives up a lot. They're away
from their families, their civilian jobs, their friends,
their everyday comforts, and they do it with great honor and
dignity.”
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By Army SSgt. Brandon Pomrenke
ISAF Joint Command
Copyright 2011 | |
Provided
through DVIDS
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