Airmen 
serving in Southwest Asia, together with their Army, Marine Corps, and Navy brethren, on Sunday commemorated the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks at their deployed locations. “We’re out here celebrating American freedom, but more importantly we’re out here to remind ourselves that the reason we serve is so Americans can live free of fear, said Brig. Gen. Anthony Rock, commander of the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing at Sather AB, Iraq. More than 100 personnel participated in a two-mile sunrise ruck march there to honor the 9/11 victims. At Joint Base Balad, Iraq, airmen took part in a 24-hour flag run/walk vigil and memorial ceremony. “We have to remember why we went to war and protect our country,” said TSgt. Melanie Deumeland of Balad’s 332nd AEW protocol office. “We don’t just remember service members, but all the individuals that gave their lives, like those who took down Flight 93. On that day . . . we all came together for that moment.” (Sather report by TSgt. Josef Cole) (Balad report by SrA. Amber R. Kelly-Herard)
We looked back on the past 12 months to find the stories that resonated the most with you, our audience, and these 10 topped the list. Maybe you missed one the first time around, or perhaps you’d like to revisit a favorite.