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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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914th Airmen honor flag on solemn day

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrew Caya
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. --  Members of the 914th Airlift Wing Services Prime Readiness in Base Services Squadron performed retreat on a very solemn and important anniversary in American History, Saturday at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Niagara Falls, NY.

The 914th PRIME RIBS Airmen were selected to lower "old glory" in front of the 914th Airlift Wing headquarters building as well as perform a flag folding ceremony after the banner was lowered. The retreat ceremony serves a twofold purpose. It signals the end of the official duty day and serves as a ceremony for paying respect to the flag.

This was a very extraordinary retreat for Airman 1st Class Lindsey Steiner, a 914th Services specialist, not only because today was her first retreat ceremony, but because it was held on the ninth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on America.

"It was very honorable for the services squadron to be the unit performing the [retreat] ceremony," Steiner said. She added that folding the flag on this day left a profound impact on her. "I'll remember this for the rest of my career," she said.

Not only was this a humbling experience for junior Airmen like Steiner, it was reflective for experience for higher ranking Airmen such as Services Squadron First Sgt. Master Sgt. Kevin Nichols.

"It is always an honor and privilege for a squadron to perform retreat on-base, but this time it was especially moving knowing that it was on the anniversary of September 11th," said Nichols.

Nichols embraces the fact that all of America's Warriors past, present and future are represented by the flag and the ceremony is a way to devotedly honor them.

"In honoring the flag we pay respect to all those that have gone before us and to those that will come after us. The 914th Services Squadron is grateful for the opportunity to honor and serve on such a solemn occasion."

For the 914th Services Squadron Superintendent Senior Master Sgt. Mike Roach, the Anniversary of the September 11th attacks brings not only memories of sorrow but of unit pride.

"It is always an honor for our unit to participate in a retreat ceremony. Retreat serves as a significant reminder of why our service is so important and special," said Roach. "The opportunity to participate in the retreat that marks the 10th anniversary of September 11th is even a greater honor.

Roach continued.

Like Americans all over the world each year it causes us to pause and remember that tragic morning and the days that immediately followed," He said. "Several of our 914 Services members were among the first from the 914th Airlift Wing to respond when they were mobilized and deployed to the Dover Air Force Base Port Mortuary in Delaware on Sept 13th. Just two days after [after the attacks] we were assisting with the remains identification of those who perished at the Pentagon." said Roach. "Therefore, whether we are a part of an official ceremony or not like millions of other Americans each year the observance of Sep 11 will always bring us back to a significant time in our unit's history."

Roach expressed pride in not only his unit and branch of Service but for all Americans.

"As an American the US Flag serves as a calling card for all those around the world who seek freedom, liberty, justice, and the best of humanity," Roach said. "As an Airman, whenever I participate in a flag folding detail I feel as sense of "re-bluing" my commitment to the oath of enlistment and re-dedicating myself to the principals and obligations of American citizenship."