U.S. Navy Sailors and Chief Selectees Mark 9/11 Aboard USS Russell

USS Russell chief selectees in service dress white uniforms held a folded American flag and prepared to conduct a flag detail during the remembrance ceremony.
The ship’s QD watch continued throughout the pier-side ceremony while chief selectees stood on the flight deck.
The ceremony included a podium bearing the ship’s seal beneath a red canopy marked “Strength in Freedom,” with a decorative rug displaying what appeared to be the ship’s crest.
A separate military tribute highlighted Army Corporal Michael Anaya, who was killed while serving in Iraq and was honored for making the “ultimate sacrifice.”
Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Russell gathered dockside to honor the victims and service members of 9/11, standing at attention in dress uniforms while chief selectees conducted a formal flag detail. DVIDS documented the ceremony, which featured a podium bearing the ship's seal beneath a red canopy inscribed with "Strength in Freedom" and included salutes and colors honors to mark the significance of military service and remembrance.
USS Russell's newest chief selectees, dressed in crisp white service uniforms, took center stage in the remembrance ceremony. They held and folded the American flag in a precise flag detail while standing on the flight deck. The ceremony emphasized the role of junior leaders honoring those lost to terror attacks and military sacrifice.
Even as sailors gathered for the remembrance ceremony, the ship's QD watch—the officer standing duty aboard the vessel—remained at their post throughout the pier-side event. This split responsibility ensured the USS Russell maintained operational readiness while honoring fallen service members. The dual focus reflects Navy tradition: remember the past while standing ready for the future.
The ceremony also paid tribute to Army Corporal Michael Anaya, who was killed while serving in Iraq. Military leaders highlighted his
ultimate sacrifice" and his example of service. Anaya's recognition underscored why ships like the USS Russell hold these remembrance events each year. The tribute connected those lost on 9/11 with service members who gave their lives in subsequent conflicts overseas.
The USS Russell was not alone in the harbor during the remembrance ceremony. Other moored naval vessels nearby participated in the observance, creating a unified show of respect across the base. The coordinated effort reflected how Navy and military commands nationwide mark 9/11 with ceremonies that unite sailors in shared memory and purpose.
Publishers
12
Articles
0
Reach
12