The American Legion honors soldiers and 9/11 victims this weekend
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Saturday will be 20 years since terrorists attacked the U.S., killing thousands of citizens. Some veterans at The American Legion Post 202 in Columbia are feeling some of the emotional pain as Saturday approaches.
Paul Hobbs is a retired military veteran and First Vice Commander at The American Legion Post 202. He said his emotions have been on a roller coaster for the past two weeks.
"Sadness, anger, disbelief. From moment to moment, it changes," said Hobbs.
Hobbs also said that at the time of the 9/11 attack, his co-worker's brother worked inside the Pentagon. The moment the plane crashed into the building, Hobbs had to break the bad news to him because he could not watch the event himself.
Melvin Bradly, the current commander at the American Legion Post 202, said the 9/11 event is unforgettable.
"You look at the footage over and over, and you're still saying I know it happened, but you're still in disbelief," said Bradley.
Bradley also said that if he had to come out of retirement to serve his county at the time, he would have.
"My oath of enlistment never expires. My oath is to uphold the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic," said Bradley
The American Legion will hold a memorial ceremony for the current 13 soldiers who died in Afghanistan and a 9/11 remembrance on Saturday. A paragraph will be read for each significant moment during the attack, and a bugler will play Taps.
The event will end with rifle volleys and Taps for the 13 soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
