Stein honors North Carolina National Guard on 25th anniversary of 9/11

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein joined members of the military and first responders for a memorial ceremony on Friday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

North Carolina National Guard leaders welcomed U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, several members of the North Carolina General Assembly, the Raleigh Fire Department, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol to honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that day.

“We reaffirm our commitment to the values that the armed forces defend: Freedom, justice, security, democracy, and peace,” Stein said, standing in front of a mammoth American flag at the North Carolina National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh. 

Despite the horrific events of that day, many heroes emerged, Stein said. 

First responders, firefighters, police officers, and ordinary people rushed into danger to save their neighbors’ lives. In the following days and months, people held vigils around the world to support the country. 

“In one of our nation’s darkest hours, we were not alone,” Stein said.

The governor recognized Greensboro flight attendant Sandy Bradshaw, who was on Flight 93, which crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers and crew fought back against hijackers who planned to fly it into Washington, DC.  He also recognized John Cerqueira, a then-recent graduate of North Carolina State University who helped carry a woman in a wheelchair down 68 stories of steps in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. 

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In the years following the attacks, citizen-soldiers of the North Carolina National Guard were called upon to serve in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

The North Carolina National Guard lost 30 members in direct combat operations over the past 25 years. Boards at the ceremony displayed their photos and names. 

On Friday, family members of the North Carolina National Guard lost since 9/11 laid flowers at the foot of a battlefield cross in remembrance of their loved ones. Military leaders joined Stein in laying a ceremonial wreath. 

Major General Todd Hunt, Stein’s principal advisor on military affairs, said 9/11 was the day that the National Guard and U.S. Army transformed into a combat-effective organization, with more than 20,000 members of the National Guard deploying to serve the country.

“As we reflect on 9/11 right now today, at this moment, there are many emotions and thoughts going through people’s heads and hearts,” Hunt said. “Let us never forget our country coming together and bonding in anger, sadness, and patriotism.”