Phoenix Company Commemorates 9/11

Early morning on Monday, September 11, 2017, Phoenix Company held a table ceremony at the FDMS Phoenix Center to mark the 16th Anniversary of the September 11th Terror Attacks and the 38th Annual National POW/MIA Recognition Day. On September 11th, 2001, in the aftermath of national tragedy, then-President George W. Bush described how “...our fellow citizens, our very way of life, our freedom, came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist attacks” and that America’s first responders and service members courageously responded with determination, grit, and an innate desire to help their fellow citizens. Phoenix Company’s ceremony served to honor the victims and heroes of September 11th as well as for service members who were missing in action or prisoners of war.

 
FDMS faculty scriptures teacher, Mr. Fred Rodriguez, opened the all-school event with a short prayer. Phoenix Company’s Senior Naval Science Instructor, LtCol Roland Eisel (USMC, Ret.) then explained the symbolism of the ceremony to the entire student body. Cadet Ron Coloma, the unit Assistant PAO, narrated the 30-minute chronology and details of the entire event.
 
During Monday’s solemn ceremony, cadets from Phoenix Company prepared and set an empty table on center court in the Phoenix Center. The table was first adorned with a simple white tablecloth and covers that represented each of the branches of America’s Armed Forces. As a visibly moved student body observed, cadets added lemon and salt to the table setting to represent the sense of loss felt by the absence of others. The table ceremony was followed by the traditional 21 gun salute followed by the playing of taps when you could have heard a pin drop due to the reverent silence.  Having one of the highest per capita enlistment rates in the country, Guam currently counts 45 of her sons as Missing in Action (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) and, undoubtedly, some of them were related to members of the Father Duenas Memorial School student body.