Joint ceremony observes Sept. 11 anniversary.

Emotions were heavy and voices muted as employees of MTMC Headquarters Alexandria and the U.S. Army Personnel Command observed the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks against America.

Employees of the two organizations, co-located at the Hoffman Building Complex, on Stovall Street, in Alexandria, Va., flooded an outdoor gathering in recognition of the events. The highlight of the event was the raising of a U.S. flag that had been flown over the Pentagon. The colors were raised by a combined Color Guard of soldiers representing both commands.

"We pay remembrance to those who suffered during those terrible events," Isaid Maj. Gen. Kenneth L. Privratsky, Commander, MTMC. "That's why we're gathered here today, as one team. We're one of many other teams comprising the finest Army, joined by its great sister services--dedicated to defend the greatest nation on earth."

Exactly one year earlier, black smoke from the Pentagon attack was clearly visible from the windows of the north-facing Hoffman II complex. The victims of the Pentagon attack included some Personnel Command soldiers and civilians.

Remarks were also provided by Brig. Gen. Dorian Anderson, of Personnel Command. He named the Personnel Command soldiers and civilians who were killed in the attack.

"This flag, powerful in symbolism and meaning, flies at half-staff, just like all flags on Army posts and installations around the country and around the world," said Anderson.

"United in the loss a year ago, united in the love for our families today, our nation, our Army and our organizations here in this building complex will remember."

Ceremony participants expressed a range of emotions.

"Wonderful," said Guadalupe Thompson, a veteran of 37 years of service to MTMC. "I saw all emotions around me today--pride, resolution, fear ..."

A year ago, Thompson was attending a class in the District of Columbia. After hastily evacuating the city via subway, Thompson found herself stranded at the Springfield, Va., Metro station.

"No buses were running," she said.

She hitchhiked to get to her home in Woodbridge, several miles south of the Metro station, along Interstate 95.

The one-year anniversary event was poignant for information management specialist Paula Mihalek, as well.

"The ceremony brought back all the feelings of shock, disbelief, sadness and fear that I felt last year as my class at the Ronald Reagan building was interrupted by the announcement of the attack on the World Trade Center," said Mihalek.

"For the past year, we've tried to recover and remove the fear from our lives, and slowly we move forward, always remembering that it happened and it happened to so many, so close."

The ceremony was a "wonderful tribute," she said.

Representing MTMC enlisted soldiers around the world was Command Sgt. Maj. James Morgan. The Sept. 11 one-year anniversary had big meaning for Morgan, who said the Pentagon attack killed a number of friends.

"It all shows how fragile life is," said Morgan. "You have to embrace life."

The flag flown at the ceremony will be put in a special display case at Personnel Command in recognition of those killed or injured in the attacks.