VA Remembers 9/11 honors memories of lost lives, 20 years of increasing benefits, services for Veterans

2021-09-07T10:35:01-04:00

Twenty years ago, Saturday, the United States watched as the terrorist attacks unfolded before our eyes on Sept. 11, 2001 – at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Flight 93’s crash in Shanksville, Pa.

This week, our nation comes together to honor the lives lost and those forever changed. The attacks of 9/11 called brave men and women to serve their country as members of the U.S. armed forces.

Looking back on the past 20 years, we are reminded of the incredible perseverance and strength of our nation – characteristics inspired by the Veterans whom we serve at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): https://www.va.gov/

VA will never forget to honor their service and sacrifice. Today, VA’s commitment remains steadfast to help our Veterans reintegrate into the communities they so nobly served.

VA Remembers 9/11, and commemorates 20 years advancing health care, benefits and services to America’s newest generation of Veterans, their families and caregivers.

VA’s hosting a “live” post-9/11 commemoration on Rally Point Sept. 9 from 3 – 4 p.m.ET that you can find here: https://rly.pt/QA911

Were you inspired to join the military after the 9/11 attacks 20 years ago? Join us as VA Remembers 9/11. We encourage Veterans and service members to ask your questions today about VA health care, benefits and service.

VA participants for the online question and answer chat include:

• Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Post-9/11 Transition and Case Management Office: https://rly.pt/3tiBTQs
• Veterans Benefit Administration Education Service: https://rly.pt/3jNpdhc
• National Cemetery Administration: https://www.cem.va.gov/
• VHA Mental Health: https://rly.pt/3C3nFWX and Suicide Prevention: https://rly.pt/38NcRPY
• Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling): https://rly.pt/3tndSYp
• VA Chaplain Service:

VA also invites you to attend a local commemoration. Throughout the week, VA will share stories of Veterans who answered the call to serve and remember the thousands who sacrificed their life in defense of the nation following the attacks. Personal stories and testimonials will be shared online via VA’s websites and social media platforms.

VA national cemeteries will host a National Day of Service. This will include the opportunity for attendees to participate in headstone cleaning of those interred. Learn more at VA national cemetery.

The National Cemetery Administration also invites individuals to visit its online Veterans Legacy Memorial, https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/ , which hosts individual profiles for all 3.7 million Veterans interred at VA national cemeteries. Visitors to VLM are encouraged to post tributes and photos on a Veteran’s page.

To find out about local commemorations, contact a nearby VA medical facility using VA’s Facility Locator, https://rly.pt/3hb3DBx . Learn more about other 20th anniversary commemorations throughout the country by visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum: https://www.911memorial.org/, Flight 93 National Memorial: https://rly.pt/2VmUa2x and National Pentagon Memorial: https://rly.pt/3DXKz3q.

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Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Sep 7 at 2021 3:15 PM

2021-09-07T15:15:06-04:00

We came together like we never have since. When we focus on our collective good, the country is better for everyone. We need to put our differences aside and just be Americans first.

Response by MSgt Will Ackerman made Sep 8 at 2021 9:26 AM

2021-09-08T09:26:52-04:00

As part of our #VARemembers 9/11 to honor the lives lost on that tragic day 20 years ago and the heroes who responded, we have interviews with 9 people who share their stories.
#veteransaffairs #september11 #neverforget #Veterans
The link to their stories is at:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3AQ_JVoBEyxOvOHWaVrKvgQY7z1hSChy

playlist

Response by PO2 Stephen Brinkley (Scott) made Sep 8 at 2021 1:55 PM

2021-09-08T13:55:40-04:00

This is a day that I will never forget. Not only was it my 3rd anniversary in Navy, but it's the day that I lost my friend and little brother in the attack on the Pentagon. He took the orders to allow me to appease a woman. I was the Chief of the Watch at COMSUBGRU Nine that day and first time since WWII, watched our country go to Threat Con Delta. Little did I know that during that day, I delivered 5 messages to the Admiral and OIC in OPSEC with his name on it.

Response by MSgt Matthew Stogsdill made Sep 8 at 2021 11:14 PM

2021-09-08T23:14:36-04:00

With this year being the 20th anniversary of 9/11, a lot of heartfelt memories arise. My personal recollection is unique and I don’t talk about it much. On 9/11, I was at work training my military working dog in Lakewood Colorado and was watching the news seeing everything unfold. I immediately headed through traffic and returned to the Air Force academy…. That was the longest drive of my life, as Denver and the interstate were bottlenecked with traffic and people everywhere. I remember the phones being totally down, as I headed back to my military unit. Once at my unit, 21 Security Forces at Peterson AFB Colorado, I immediately went to work helping secure the base and establishing 24/7 security with others since we went on threat-con delta alert . For the next 48 hours We pulled 24/7 shifts , and on morning of 9/13, at 6:30 am Mountain Time, the Air Force security forces commander called my cell phone asking if I’d be willing to volunteer to deploy to somewhere “hot.” Although the colonel said the exact location was classified, my heart sank as I said yes, I knew what I had to do next, I absolutely had to do my part for America. Many of us did the same that day, That decision was the easy part, the next year was the hardest year of my life thus far…

After the call from the Colonel relating I had to leave that same morning, I didn’t sleep, I went straight to my daughter’s school and visited her explaining that I was leaving to protect America. She was devastated, and this absolutely broke my heart. I spent the next two hours with her and I ate lunch with her at the US Air Force Academy Elementary School and then she went back to class, that was the last time I saw my daughter until late 2002. Next, I went back to my house, packed my gear and left back to Peterson Air Force base where I would out process, obtain my up to date shots, be issued weapons, get my military working dog squared away and other gear needed for a combat deployment. I deployed on September 13th and was gone until late 2002. All for country like everyone else did. I am now a retired 100% p&t veteran and would do it all over again; no matter the pain I endure some 20 years later. All for those who perished…. We have 1000’s more who did the exact same thing. Defensor Fortis…

Response by MSgt Will Ackerman made Sep 9 at 2021 9:54 AM

2021-09-09T09:54:19-04:00

Good morning to all. Today's the day our VA team will respond to your questions "live." VA’s hosting a “live” post-9/11 commemoration on Rally Point Sept. 9 from 3 – 4 p.m. ET that you can find here: https://rly.pt/QA911. We encourage you to post your questions about VA benefits, services and health care. We'd love to also read your stories about whether the 9/11 attacks inspired you to join the military and why. Please avoid posting HIPAA-related information. We'll see you this afternoon.

Were you inspired to join the military after the 9/11 attacks 20 years ago? Ask questions about...

Join us as VA Remembers 9/11. Ask us your questions today! We’ll answer your questions about VA health care, benefits and services. Date & Time: September 9, 2021, 3:00 - 4:00pm ET Your questions will be answered on September 9th by the following SME's: , National Director, Post-9/11 Transition and Case Management, VA , Acting Executive Director for Education Service, VA , Communications Officer, VA, Vet Centers , Director – Community-Based...

Response by MSgt Will Ackerman made Sep 9 at 2021 1:59 PM

2021-09-09T13:59:47-04:00

#VA's live Q & A begins in just over an hour (3pm ET) on #RallyPoint. Post your questions about VA benefits, services. Share how #September11 attacks inspired you to serve your nation.
https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/va-remembers-9-11-honors-memories-of-lost-lives-20-years-of-increasing-benefits-services-for-veterans?urlhash=7255724

VA Remembers 9/11 honors memories of lost lives, 20 years of increasing benefits, services for...