She was visibly moved as she listened to former Secretary of the Army John McHugh and Colonel Gary A. Rosenberg, U.S. Army, retired, recount how the attacks impacted their lives and careers at Clarkson University's annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Clarkson's World Trade Center Memorial.
"To be in the presence of these two great Americans today - Secretary McHugh and retired Colonel Rosenberg - was truly amazing," Assemblywoman Russell said following the ceremony.
"They served our country through one of our most difficult eras with honor and distinction. I will always be indebted to their service and thankful they were in places of leadership when our country was most in need of strong leaders," she added.
"My heart and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 and my eternal gratitude is with those who have served our nation in defense of our freedom since that time," Assemblywoman Russell said.
Secretary McHugh, who was representing the North Country in the United States House of Representatives, said he was near the 14th Avenue bridge driving to his office on Capitol Hill when he heard an explosion and saw a plume of smoke about a quarter of a mile away, not immediately aware he had seen and heard a plane being crashed into the Pentagon by terrorists.
He pointed out 3,000 lives were lost that day in Washington, D.C., New York City and a field in rural Pennsylvania.
"Those scars will never fully heal. We honor their memories and pray for the comfort of their families and loved ones. But on a day of so much pain, it was also a day when heroes were born," Secretary McHugh pointed out, reflecting on the work and sacrifice of first responders who answered the call that day.
He noted 15 years after the attack new buildings now stand on the parcels that once housed the debris of the World Trade Center and brave men and women continue to go into harm's way to fight for our freedom.
Secretary McHugh, who retired from his post a year ago, said the terrorists learned shortly after Sept. 11, 2001 that their attacks would not go without a strong response.
"They learned America and her people will not bow down, no matter the challenge or how heavy the burden. Young men and women left their homes in pursuit of extraordinary service. The terrorists believed Americans were too soft and wouldn't fight back. From the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to a walled compound in Pakistan, they have learned that American will fight back," he said.
Secretary McHugh said as the nation mourns those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 this weekend it is also important to never forget the work our service men and women do to keep America safe.
"The people who wear the uniform, they are the ones who have sacrificed for us. America's very existence was won by the courage of such people. Because of them, America truly is the land of the brave," he stressed.
Colonel Rosenberg, who served as the garrison commander at Fort Drum from 2012-2015, said he was coming out of a meeting on hiw post where he was stationed at the tim with a special forces unit and saw the televised reports of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center tower.
"When the second plane hit, we were pretty sure what going on," he said, recalling the base immediately went on lock down and there was a traffic jam outside the gates as soldiers tried to get on post.
"We were confident the United States was going to respond, and special ops began to plan. 9/11 turned my life upside down, as it did for most service members," Colonel Rosenberg said.
He went into Afghanistan later in 2001, helping to free cities from the control of the Taliban. In April 2002, he was deployed to start training soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, work that would continue for the next five years. "I bounced back and forth between Iraq and Afghanistan," he said.
He noted during that time he served in small special forces units with fighters from Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We lost men. They lost men, and we lost men. The Afghan and Iraqi soldiers were treated the same as our soldiers. We ate the same food, slept in the same places. They were our brothers in arms," Colonel Rosenberg said.
The former Fort Drum garrison commander said he was in Iraq on Dec. 18, 2011 when the last troops pulled out of Iraq.
"On Dec. 19, I found myself as the last remaining special forces member in Iraq," he recalled.
He pointed out today 190,000 Americans are deployed in 140 countries. "The world is as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than it has ever been," he said.
He said it is important to remember the sacrifices made by those men and men who have answered the call to serve in the military.
"Remember those who died defending this country and their families. Remember those who have been wounded and their families. Remember our veterans and their families, and remember the men and women around the world still serving. Teach the young about their sacrifices and never forget," Colonel Rosenberg said, delivering his remarks in front of the 9/11 memorial on campus.
The steel used in the Clarkson memorial came from the 55th floor of the World Trade Center's south tower and was obtained through the assistance of a Clarkson alumnus who helped lead the cleanup in New York City.
Four graduates of Clarkson University - Peter A. Klein, '67, Paul R. Hughes '85, Richard J. O'Connor '75 and R. Mark Rasweiller '70 - lost their lives in the attack on the World Trade Center.
Clarkson University President Tony Collins noted in just a few short years students will be on campus that weren't alive on Sept. 11, 2001, but he said it will be important to continue the remembrance ceremony well into the future.
He also said the university needs to continue its work to bring people together and provide an opportunity for people from differing backgrounds to share their perspectives in an effort to promote better understanding and to ensure all voices have an opportunity to be heard.
President Collins noted the memorial stands as a legacy to the four alums who lost their lives 15 years ago.
"If we don't respect and understand each other and try to bring people together, the outcome can be devastating," he said.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell looks on as former Congressman and former Secretary of the Army John McHugh delivers his address at Clarkson's annual 9/11 Remembrance ceremony Saturday afternoon at the university's World Trade Center Memorial Sculpture. Mr. McHugh was representing the North Country in the House of Representatives on Sept. 11, 2001. He served as Secretary of the Army from September 2009 to November 2015.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell visits with Col. Gary A. Rosenberg, U.S. Army, retired, following his remarks at Clarkson's annual 9/11 Remembrance ceremony Saturday afternoon at the university's World Trade Center Memorial Sculpture. Col. Rosenberg served as the garrison commander at Fort Drum from 2012-15 and did several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States. Clarkson University President Tony Collins is shown on the left.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell, right, and Karen Collins, left, visit with former Congressman and former Secretary of the Army John McHugh prior to Clarkson's annual 9/11 Remembrance ceremony Saturday afternoon at the university's World Trade Center Memorial Sculpture.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell looks on as Col. Gary A. Rosenberg, U.S. Army, retired, former garrison commander at Fort Drum, recounts his experiences following the terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. He and former Secretary of the Army John McHugh were the keynote speakers at Clarkson's annual 9/11 Remembrance ceremony Saturday afternoon at the university's World Trade Center Memorial Sculpture.
ROTC cadets stand at attention as Col. Gary A. Rosenberg, U.S. Army, retired, former garrison commander at Fort Drum, recounts his experiences following the terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001.
The Potsdam Pointercounts from SUNY Potsdam sang "The National Anthem" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" at Clarkson's annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Saturday afternoon at the university's World Trade Center Memorial Sculpture.
The color guard closes the annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Saturday afternoon at Clarkson University.
