Do you recall where you were on the morning of September 11, twenty-two years ago? Can you still feel the tidal wave of shock that swept over us, submerging our nation in a profound sense of grief, loss, and uncertainty unlike anything our generation had ever experienced? Most of us certainly do. Thanks to the City of Fallon, the residents of Churchill County not only remember but are given an annual opportunity to pay tribute to those who tragically lost their lives in the single worst attack on American soil since the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
On that fateful day, and in the weeks that followed, an army of first responders, volunteers, and ordinary citizens selflessly and tirelessly threw themselves into the chaos, helping victims and their families navigate the aftermath of what was then an unimaginable horror. In the months that ensued, countless Americans enlisted in the military, joining what would become known as The War on Terror. At the same time, those already in the armed forces had their futures irrevocably altered.
While no words can truly express our gratitude for such sacrifice, we can try. Mayor Ken Tedford, council members Kelly Frost, Paul Harmon, Karla Kent, and the City of Fallon staff dedicate countless hours yearly to ensure that. The city's annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony pays homage to both the lost and the living, acknowledging the hardships we endured and the selflessness of those who acted on our behalf and those who continue to do so.
Mayor Tedford spoke not only of the tragedy but also of the resilience that emerged from the ashes of atrocity, recalling the immediate offer of assistance from the City of Fallon to New York in the wake of the attacks. He shared the heartfelt gift NYC bestowed upon Fallon as a token of gratitude—a steel beam from one of the Twin Towers that found its place in the small 9/11 Memorial behind City Hall, dedicated in 2012.
Beyond the public, the ceremony brought together officers from the City of Fallon Police Department, Churchill County Sheriff's Office, Fallon/Churchill Volunteer Fire Department, Churchill County Search and Rescue, EMT personnel, NAS Fallon Fed Fire and Emergency Services, NASF Strike Warfare, NASF Security Services, Care Flight, other active-duty servicemen and women, veterans' organizations like Fallon's American Legion, Mason Valley Fire Protection District Bagpipers, and veterans from every branch of the U.S. Military, among others.
Guest speaker Captain Shane Tanner, NAS Fallon Commanding Officer, recounted the moment he learned of the attacks on his homeland, only six months into his detachment aboard the USS Kennedy. His life, like so many others, was forever changed that day. Tanner described how their course was redirected towards American soil, along with other warships in the region, as they headed back from Puerto Rico. “We were the U.S. Navy and were onboard the most powerful expression of United States diplomacy the world has ever seen,” recalled Tanner.
Defense missions began immediately from the decks of the JFK and USS George Washington, covering the entire Eastern Seaboard with surveillance and combat air patrol missions. Tanner remarked, "This was day one of what would become Operation Noble Eagle, the defense of the North American continent from air attack—an enduring mission to this day."
Tanner recalled being airborne that day, remarking, "You could feel the silence that draped over the world—and our souls. There was nothing in the air for thousands of miles. We knew the stakes, we knew the cost, and we knew what must be done. I was young, I was focused, and at the furthest edge of freedom's reach, I was right where I needed to be."
The inspiration Tanner derived from September 11 and the subsequent months has sustained him to this day. He highlighted how the callous attack aimed to test the resolve of the American people. “Instead, they found the full breadth of the American resolve, our hunger for freedom, and our steely determination to defend it. Americans from all walks of life, covered in soot and faceless – yet wholly unique and autonomous, ran into the fire to save a life, not to take it.”
Tanner went on to serve and become a trainer at the Hawkeye Weapons School at NASF, preparing others for their deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. "That is what we do here in Fallon. We train the Fleet for its next big test," he stated firmly. "Make no mistake, the Fleet and the United States are ready."
However, Tanner said his story is just one among many, and what truly stands out is the profound respect and appreciation he has cultivated for the daily service and sacrifices of all our first responders, as well as the unspoken sacrifices made by their families. “We must never forget their sacrifice then, and we will not forget their service now.”
Fallon’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony remains a testament to the enduring spirit of unity and resilience that emerged from the tragic events of that fateful day, reminding us to honor and appreciate the dedication of our first responders and service members every day.
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