Fort Hamilton marks anniversary of 9/11 terror attacks

Aide to secretary of army talks about personal loss

September 13, 2022 Theodore General

The color guard presents the color during the singing of the National Anthem. Eagle Urban Media photos by Ted General

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The U.S. Army Garrison based at Fort Hamilton in Southwest Brooklyn continued its longstanding tradition of marking the annual anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, on the Pentagon and on the field at Shanksville, Pennsylvania on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Pamela J. Newman, civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, New York South, who is a prominent business executive and influential civic leader.

Civilian aides serve without salary, wages or related benefits and are afforded a three-star protocol status. Each CASA is committed to supporting all Department of the Army civilians, soldiers and their families.

She talked about her 176 colleagues who were killed while attending a meeting on the 105th floor of the South Tower when the hijacked plane smashed into the building. She also worked there, but at the time she was away on a business trip in California.

Empire Shield Task Force soldiers render a 21-gun salute at Fort Hamilton.

The commemoration program included the Presentation of the Colors staffed by members of the Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force. Fasan Olufemi of the NYPD sang the national anthem, and Garrison Chaplain Capt. Scott Norman gave the invocation and reflection.

Col. Brian Jacobs, the new garrison commander and a West Point graduate, spoke about his recollections of 9/11 and the dramatic impact it has had on his service career.

At the wreath-laying ceremony, a 21-gun salute was fired by the Joint Task Force-Empire Shield, followed by Sgt, Edward Preston playing “Taps,” and two FDNY Emerald Society Pipers played “Amazing Grace.” Chaplain Norman gave a benediction to conclude the event.