North Carolinians remember Sept. 11 with ceremonies, volunteering

The base invited the public in for a special remembrance ceremony hosted by the XVIII Airborne Corps.

Everyone paused to hear the 24 notes of "Taps" and watch local first responders place a wreath at the main post flagpole, where an eternal flame burns.

Two wounded warriors – Capt. Ivan Castro and Pfc. Adam Zitzer – placed a second wreath at the flagpole. Zitzer was injured in Afghanistan this year when a roadside bomb exploded near his armored vehicle.

Since 9/11, Fort Bragg has lost hundreds of soldiers and airmen in Afghanistan and Iraq. The ceaseless churn of deployments has become the new normal.

The attacks on that sunny Tuesday morning 11 years ago set off the longest war in the nation's history, and the men and women and families at Fort Bragg continue to fight it.

Fort Bragg's commanding general gave a special salute to those who have put on the uniform since Sept. 11.

"They joined knowing they would go off and fight our nation's battles for freedom," Lt. Gen. Daniel Allyn said.  "The service that they have put forth over the last 11 years speaks mightily to the nature of our country and its citizens and their determination to defend freedom whatever the cost."

The volunteers said they will never forget, but they also want something positive to come out of the day.

Even 4-year-old Nicky Foy was working. His mom served in the Air Force and wants her son to know the significance of Sept. 11.

"We just try to instill in them the core values, mainly of the greatest generation and what this country is, and how important it is to help each other," mom Jodi Foy said.