NEW YORK, New York -- The Quantico Marine Band journeyed to New York City, New York, to perform at various ceremonies as part of the New York 9/11 Commemoration event, Sept. 11, 2014.
The band performed along with the New York City Police Department and New York City Fire Department to honor the people, who made the ultimate sacrifice saving lives 13 years ago during the September 11 attacks.
“When I joined the Marine Corps after I graduated from college, [it] wasn’t something I thought of as a reason, but since I’ve been in I realize how big of an impact it had on not only our country but the world,” said Cpl. Tyler D. Scruggs, a Kings Mountain, North Carolina native and musician with the band. “After joining I’ve began to understand there is a bigger reason for everything in the Marine Corps.”
More than 400 emergency personnel lost their lives during response efforts at the World Trade Center.
“Today and yesterday were very emotional days. They brought back a lot of memories of what happened on that day,” said Scruggs. “Seeing families and current firefighters brings up so many emotions that you thought you never had.
“The gratitude you never think to express—It all comes to the front. All of the sudden you’re hit with emotions that you never expected to experience.”
The ceremonies hosted hundreds of emergency response personnel who paid their respect to fellow firefighters, who gave their all saving victims of the attacks.
“There’s a brotherhood with police officers and firemen, which is exactly like the Marines,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Robert A. Szabo, the band officer . “We have a bond mainly because there are so many that serve in the armed forces.”
During the events, people recalled their thoughts and the place they where vividly 13 years ago during the attacks.
“I remember where I was at, and I remember how it impacted our way of life,” said Szabo. “Our training had to change and get better. We had to be more proactive.
“It brought us to the awareness that tragedies can happen right on our doorstep.”
The band trip culminated with the playing of the National Anthem at Yankee stadium in memorial of the attacks. The Marines were reminded at the events of their purpose and determination in taking up the responsibility and sacrifice entailed with earning the title.
“The way the Marine Corps represents this nation is of the highest standard and I wanted to be part of this organization,” said Lance Cpl. Cameron M. Taylor, native and musician with the band, an Iberia, Missouri native. “Today, I was honored beyond any words, I can imagine, to be part of the ceremony.
The band members had the opportunity to see, hear and experience the impact of these attacks through those who survived the loss of loved ones and honor them with the sounds of their craft.
“You can watch interviews on television and you can see all the scenes they show you, and you’ll never have a concept of what happened here and how it effected peoples lives until you stand on this ground,” said Taylor. “Then you actually feel the spirit and emotion people have.
“To be part of that today was something I will remember for the rest of my life.”