WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vermont National Guard Honors 9/11 Victims

Vermont National Guard Honors 9/11 Victims

Burlington, Vermont - September 11, 2009

The Vermont Air National Guard had two F-16s in the air on the morning of the terror attacks. And the Vermont fighter planes would stay in the air protecting the skies over New York City.

Friday, the Guard honored those who died in the attacks.

A solemn ceremony at the Air National Guard base marked the observance of Sept. 11th, 2001. It was the day that Vermonters went to war in the fight against global terrorism -- eight years ago to the minute that the attacks were under way.

By noon that day, almost 3,000 Americans (and others) would be dead. By then the Vermont Air Guard already had gone into action. The 158th Fighter Wing commander, Col. Douglas Fick, addressed a formation in front of an American flag at half-staff. "We -- you and I -- are the shield against this foe," he said.

First thing in the morning on Sept. 11th, the Vermont Air Guard already had two planes in the air on a training exercise. That exercise was cut short, at first, with no explanation for the pilots.

Lt. Col. Barent Rogers told reporters, "So I queried the controller, saying. OK, why? What's gong on? And after some nudging on my part he said, 'Well, we've just come under attack.'"

A dramatic photo of a Vermont F-16 on patrol over New York City was taken the day after the attacks. The Green Mountain Boys had remained in the air for hours, defending the skies over the carnage that had been the World Trade Center.

"You couldn't see the towers," Rogers said, "couldn't see half of lower Manhattan, it was so covered in dust and smoke. And you could see the orange glow of fire."

No one knew then what might come next. And to this day -- eight years later -- the Vermont National Guard remains ready to respond.

Fick said, "Make no doubt about it. We will be tested again. And we cannot afford to fail."

Rogers added afterward, "And on that day some very bad people tried to take away some of those things that I hold dear for my family. And I'm sure other Americans and the 158th Fighter Wing hold so dear to their hearts that they are willing to make some sacrifices, so that other people can experience those freedoms." After a short pause, he said, "And that's why we do it."

A flyover concluded the ceremony honoring the Americans who perished in the attacks. The Vermont Guard remains determined not to let it happen again.

Andy Potter - WCAX News