MAJ. GEN. CRAIG HACKETT'S REMARKS

JCSE DEPUTY COMMANDER

I WISH TO THANK GEN ATAMAN AND HIS ENTIRE HEADQUARTERS FOR THE OUTPOURING OF SINCERE AND HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES FOR THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE AGAINST THE U.S. AND THE WORLD ON 11 SEPT 2001. 

 I ALSO WANT TO EXPRESS MY PERSONAL APPRECIATION TO GEN ATAMAN FOR HIS UNWAVERING SUPPORT THAT HE SOUGHT FROM BOTH THE TURKISH GENERAL STAFF AND THE GREAT GOVERNOR OF IZMIR.  HIS EFFORTS HAVE PRODUCED HISTORIC SUPPORT FOR THE TURKISH NATIONAL POLICE AND OTHER AGENCIES AS WE CONTINUE TO PROTECT ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES, CITIZENS AND SERVICE MEMBERS.

THIS MEMORIAL SERVICE IS DEDICATED TO AL THOSE HAD HAD LOVED ONES WHO WERE TOUCHED BY THE BARBARIC ATTACK ON 11 SEPT.  I, TOO, WAS PERSONALLY TOUCHED.  I WATCHED IN DISBELIEF AT THE FIRST WTC TOWER.  AS MY ATTENTION GREW, I WATCHED IN HORROR AS THE SECOND PLANE IMPACTED THE 2ND WTC TOWER. 

BY THE TIME I GOT INTO MY VAN AND HEADED FOR THE AKIN BUILDING TO GET AN UPDATE ON WHAT ACTIONS THAT WE WERE DIRECTED TO TAKE ... THE NEXT UNBELIEVABLE EVENT OCCURRED -- MY AIDE SAID, "SIR, THE PENTAGON WAS JUST HIT!"  MY FIRST THOUGHT TURNED DIRECTLY TO THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE WHO WORKS FOR THE AIR FORCE IN THAT BUILDING.

IS SHE SAFE; COULD SHE BE INJURED -- HOW CAN I FIND OUT?

SO, I TOO, HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY THIS DASTARDLY ACT OF INSENSITIVE VIOLENCE AGAINST MANY INNOCENT VICTIMS!  I, TOO, SHARE THE FEELINGS OF HELPLESSNESS, DENIAL, GRIEF, AND NOW, ANGER.

MY WIFE IS SAFE, BUT THAT DOES NOW MAKE UP FOR THE FEELINGS I SHARE, ALONG WITH YOU, FOR SO MANY WHO ARE NOT AND ARE NOW GONE FOREVER.  THANKS FOR ATTENDING THIS IMPORTANT EVENT.  WE OWE IT TO THOSE WHO WERE NOT AS LUCKY AS I.