The honor guard at the Detroit Arsenal lower the flag to half-staff.
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Soldiers stand at attention as the national flag is lowered to half staff
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The honor guard pauses in front of the flag pole before lowering the flag to half staff.
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Detroit Arsenal fireman places a helmet to honor the fallen first responders who died on 9/11.
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Fireman Rodney Redwood and 1st Sgt. Lowell Chenault escort Carrie Mead and Maj. Gen. Darren Werner to place the wreath honoring all those who perished Sept. 11, 2001.
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Maj. Gen. Darren Werner and Garrison Manager Carrie Mead place a wreath commemorating all who perished in the 9/11 attacks.
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Maj. Gen. Darren Werner speaks at the Detroit Arsenal Patriot Day ceremony.
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The Detroit Arsenal installation flag pole with a wreath commemorating all who perished Sept. 11, 2001 and a fireman's helmet to honor the first responders.
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This year marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Employees at the Detroit Arsenal gathered in person or watched through a broadcast to remember and pay tribute to the lives lost. The ceremony was held today at the flagpole in front of Building 230 at 8:30 a.m.

The ceremony began with a narrative detailing the history, purpose and meaning of Patriot Day. When terrorists attacked our nation 20 years ago, America as a nation was stunned. Overall 2,977 were killed in the September 11 attacks with another 6,000 wounded.

In tribute to those who lost their lives because of this tragedy, Maj. Gen. Darren Werner, commanding general Tank-automotive and Armaments Command and Detroit Arsenal Garrison Manager Carrie Mead placed a wreath at the base of the flag pole. An honor guard lowered the installation flag to half-staff and the Detroit Arsenal firefighters placed a helmet and pair of boots to honor the first responders who perished.

The TACOM Command Chaplain Lt. Col. Ralph Bieganek offered a prayer for the nation. His prayer reflected on praying for those willing to serve. He offered that some are gone from our lives but not from our hearts.

Werner reminisced about where he was Sept. 11, 2001 and that all of us have our own stories and memories. We can all reflect on someone we know who was directly involved or was killed in one of those events.

“For many of us we recall exactly where we were and what we were doing,” said Werner. “The events of that day will forever be a part of who we are as individuals, who we are as team and who we are as Americans. This day of remembrance is a day of unity and resolve. It is a day of awareness and vigilance.”

Werner’s message was of service before self. He remembered houses and buildings being draped in flags after the attacks and stated that it was and still is a time to reflect and be proud of who we are. He stated that service to country is in the DNA of everyone gathered here today.

Members of the Detroit Arsenal Unit Ministry Choir opened the ceremony with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem and were joined by the socially distanced attendees for God Bless America to conclude the ceremony.

The Civilian Welfare Fund provided funds for the wreath.