Troops in Afghanistan reflect on events of 9-11
9/12/09 | 9 comments

Troops in Afghanistan reflect on events of 9-11


By Heidi Vogt
The Associated Press

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Some of the troops at this sprawling U.S. air base were in their midteens when they watched the planes hit the World Trade Center’s twin towers on television and vowed to join the military.

Eight years later, many of those who enlisted in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks are now part of a massive military effort in Afghanistan that some are saying has no clear exit.

Remembrances of the attacks started at dawn Friday, with more than 1,000 service members donning shorts and sneakers to run exactly 9.11 kilometers, or about 5.5 miles, to commemorate the day and remember troops who have died in the fighting since.

At Bagram, some said they worried Americans weren’t making the connection between the Afghanistan war and the 2001 attacks strongly enough.

“I feel that a lot of people have forgotten. I would have them replay the video from that day,” said Air Force Technical Sgt. Shawn Merchant, 33, of Ellsworth, Maine.

Merchant, who helps maintain fighter planes at Bagram, just started his second tour in Afghanistan. He said he sees some changes since 2007: Everything at Bagram is bigger and more permanent.

Army Sgt. Joshua Applegate of Springfield, Miss., was in high school when the planes hit the towers, and enlisted two years later, though he said he had wanted to do it right away.

“I like my country too much not to,” said Applegate, who arrived in Afghanistan in April and now facilitates transport and other logistics at Bagram Airfield, the main U.S. base in the country, located just north of the capital, Kabul.

Many troops called Friday’s anniversary a galvanizing event, and said marking the day reminds them that the U.S. mission here is important.

“It’s still one of the reasons why we’re here. Sept. 11 is part of it. For those of us who see the repercussions of fighting, it’s still there every day,” said Air Force Capt. Christopher Dupuis, 26, of Lacey, Wash.

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Comments
9 comments on this item
On 9/11/09 at 9:46 PM, EJParsons wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

My daughter has been in Iraq twice, and my son-in-law is going over soon. They both realize the importance of the mission, and they realize why we're there. And it has nothing to do with lies, misinformation, or politics. It has to do with fighting against those that attacked us on 9-11.

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On 9/11/09 at 10:02 PM, PabMainer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Some great thoughts and comments from a few of America's best....eight years ago on that most memorable day many of these soldiers were half way thru their teen years, just kids.....now they are fighting a war they believe is worth the fight and the tributes to those killed in the 9/11 attacks are what in part keeps them motivated....Sgt Shawn Merchant of Ellsworth yes many Americans have forgotten that deadly attack and even speak out against the the very war you are risking your life for but many more of us have not forgotten and we remember often through out the year those innocent lives taken on that Tuesday morning....and many of your fellow Americans remember our troops and the military sacrifices made since 9/11 also and you and your fellow soldiers are in our prayers...Thank You all for serving and God speed to you all....

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On 9/12/09 at 2:24 AM, Cre8RoyalPalm wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I guess that the events that took place on September 11th, 2001 were significant. Not only the World Trade Center was attacked by two civilian planes, loaded with passengers, but planes also loaded with passengers hit the Pentagon, and another one landed in a field somewhere in Maryland; destined for the White House.

Lest we forget too, that Obama has just issued a new 'holiday' Muslim stamp. Well, at my house at least, we despise this decision by Obama and the USPS. Even though my wife is Muslim; she said that this is not reminiscent of what should be understood at this juncture in time of anything Muslim due to the hatred of what the breakaway terrorists beginning with the PLO has wrought. She hates this.

Lest we also forget, also... but equally significant the Pan American Flight 103; the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center's basement levels; the bombing of the US Marine Barracks in Lebanon; the bombing of the military and civilian barracks in Saudi Arabia; the bombing of the American Embassy in Africa; the attack on the USS Cole. When will it stop, already! It is not just this "9-11" thing...it goes back a long way. Guess we tend to forget sometimes. Just remember that this Osama Bin Laden keeps on sending out video messages...and not once has he failed to not follow-through on his statements. Obama and his USPS Muslim stamp; I cannot believe this!

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On 9/12/09 at 2:47 AM, JWBooth wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The lives of our young are far too valuable to be squandered on the ridiculous notion that a bunch of cave dwelling raggamuffins on the other side of the world were sophisticated enough to plan and execute a complex operation like the 9-11 attacks. We must face the truth. They are there to protect Hamid Karzai and his opium supply organization. Highly placed people in government are using your sons and daughters to protect their narcotics profits. Our soldiers deserve much better from us.

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On 9/12/09 at 5:23 PM, Cre8RoyalPalm wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

JW Booth - and you are 110% correct in your comment! Now if the US government recognizes this and let these Mideastern countries fry their brains away, so be it! Pull our troops back and concentrate on the priority issues facing us right at home!

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On 9/13/09 at 9:17 AM, usarmy56m wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

JW Booth and Cre8RoyalPalm, Hahahaha how easy you forget what your countrymen are doing for you! I have served 15 months in Iraq and now serve the great state of Maine in the Guard, and must say, you 2 disgust me. How dare you question our mission. We are over there fighting to protect people like you who don't know anything about anything. My brothers and sisters in arms are fighting (and dying!) for your right to free speech. I hope you enjoy the freedom that we fight for you to have. But the great thing about this country and about my brothers and sisters in arms is that we will continue to fight for pecka heads like you. Hey, your welcome! How bout you stop questioning my mission and actually show some support for my brothers and sisters in arms. All we want is some gratitude from our countrymen.

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On 9/13/09 at 1:46 PM, EJParsons wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

usarmy56m - Bravo, my friend. And thank you for your service. Just don't let the naysayers get to you. They take their freedoms for granted.

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On 9/14/09 at 8:40 AM, ElectraGlide wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

usarmy56m- go get-um and don`t stop and THANK YOU FOR TAKIN CARE OF US.

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On 9/14/09 at 11:11 AM, BMerchant wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

JW Booth and Cre8RoyalPalm, I am the wife of TSGT Merchant. I am very proud of his service to our country. Without him and the many men and women who serve our country, we would most definately have had another attack from the 'raggamuffins' you speak of. Obviously, you have no idea how a terrorist cell operates, If you did, You would not post such unintelligent comments on the internet for the whole world to see. UsArmy is right, Our military fights for your right to free speech. Not only that They protect just every right you have. Imagine a world where we are controlled by the government, We are told where to work, what to eat, where to worship, we can not protect our homes, we can not sit at our computer and surf the net, and we could be persecuted for any small thing. If not for the U.S. Military protecting your right to free speech, Someone right now would most likely be breaking your door down and you'd have a bullet to the head for what you said. I know it sounds harsh,but it is the truth. I know there are people that don't support the war and I respect that. I just don't have any respect for those that put down our men and women in uniform. The sacrifices are too great and too many. They give up ALOT just so we can be free. I am proud to say I am a Military wife. I may not servve our great military, but I will do the best I can to support my husband and fellow Airmen. The Troops need all the support they can get. It boosts morale and gives them the boost needed to get the job done! USArmy..Thank you for your service! To the others that posted positively and support our Troops, I will pass the word along to my husband, via email w/ a link to this page.

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