<

Central Command Marks Anniversary of War on Terrorism
Monday, October 7, 2002
By SSgt. Sonny Cohrs
U.S. Air Force
Special to the American Forces Press Service

"When terrorists struck our country and killed thousands of innocent men, women and children, the enemy hoped our country would retreat in fear from a dangerous world. With the help of our coalition and allies, the Taliban regime has been ousted, the terrorist training camps destroyed, al Qaeda has been put on the run, the people of Afghanistan liberated and, in addition, you have delivered countless pounds of food, medicine, school supplies and toys to the Afghan people. And that nation now has a chance for peace, freedom and progress."

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- AFIS
More than 500 service members gathered here today to mark the one-year anniversary of military operations in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Army Gen. Tommy Franks, commander of U.S. Central Command, offered his thanks and admiration for the men and women of the U.S. military, the 42 nations represented in CENTCOM's coalition force, and the American people.

Franks said America is in debt to those who have joined to stand in the face of evil and guarantee a future for the civilized world. Together, these forces will "stand in the face of terror with resolve and commitment, representing the will of the nation and the will of our people," he said.

U.S. and coalition forces initiated a military campaign on Oct. 7, 2001, against terrorist networks in Afghanistan, a country sponsored by terrorists.

One year later, a democratically elected government stands in Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul. Children go to school, and women and children receive medical attention. Al Qaeda no longer trains terrorists there, Franks said.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

Dan