Colleagues,

September 11, 2001, Patriot Day, is a date etched in our collective memory, marked by sorrow, resolve, and the enduring spirit of unity. For those of us who have had the privilege to lead and serve in the Vermont National Guard, that day represents more than a tragedy. It symbolizes a call to duty, a test of character, and a mandate to remember.

Yet as the years pass, the immediacy of that fateful day fades. I’ve witnessed firsthand how quickly the urgency of remembrance can be overshadowed by the volume of life’s preoccupations. Our society’s short collective memory threatens to diminish not just the magnitude of the losses we endured, but also the valor, resilience, and unity that followed.

Some loss of fidelity is natural and to be expected over time. Today we have service members who were born in 2008 in our formations. To them, September 11, 2001 seems as far away as Pearl Harbor can seem to us. It is an event taught in their history books and witness in literally lower fidelity video from a time when they did not exist.

 However, those of us who have memories of that day, and who have witnessed the aftermath and chose a life of service, know a fundamental truth. We were changed on that day. What it meant to serve was changed on that day, especially service in the National Guard. 

 In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the Vermont Air and Army National Guard answered our nation’s call through Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. Guard members deployed in support of homeland defense and overseas combat operations, demonstrating steadfast courage and commitment. 

Years later, as operations in Afghanistan concluded with initiatives like Operation Allies Refuge, soldiers from the 3-172nd Infantry provided security during evacuations and other critical tasks and missions that spanned nearly two decades of service and sacrifice. We were there at the beginning, and we were there at the end.

I’ve told my story of Task Force Saber and Ramadi to anyone who will listen. Yes, a part of the story is of loss and sacrifice. It is also a story of the resilience, adaptability and commitment to service that highlights the true strength of the Guard. The National Guard was not an operational force before that day. I’ve seen the change in the Vermont National Guard from pre-9/11 to the professional, operational, and ready force that it is today. That is the legacy I want to see carried forward.

To Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, those who served overseas in the shadows of that day, I have this message: You are the living bridge between memory and legacy. America may have a short memory, but you carry its conscience. Your stories, your scars, and your continued service speak volumes about sacrifice, duty, and perseverance.

Patriot Day should not simply be another date on a calendar. It must anchor our collective conscience. As Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard, I know that remembrance sustains the Guard’s values of discipline, honor, and service to our communities.

So, to all who have served, and to all who remember, let us refuse to let memory fade. Let us honor that day not only in solemn ceremonies, but in our daily actions through mentorship, engagement, and storytelling. And let America’s promise of “never forget” be upheld not by rote, but by our resolve.

Gregory C. Knight
Major General
Vermont Adjutant General