Fortunately, there are many Americans who are not merely content with remembering the horrors of Sept 11, 2001. They act on those memories. On that clear and fateful morning, Gil Sanborn was working in his office across from the World Trade Center. He heard the first plane and saw the second plane hit the buildings.

In his words, Gil tried to find “an emotional and moral compass” that could transcend the national upheaval since the attacks. Motivated and inspired after he witnessed the commitment and heroism of rescue workers in the attacks of September 11, 2001, Gil decided to focus on Soldiers.

Gil rallied his friends and neighbors to reach out to Soldiers serving in Iraq. Together, they “adopted” the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division, known as the Dagger Brigade, during their deployment in 2006-2007 to Baghdad and Ramadi. Gil selected the Dagger Brigade because of its overseas posting in Germany, far from support of family and communities. Gil founded “Weston Supports“, a community-based support initiative to engage Americans with our Soldiers. The purpose is three-fold to:

• provide direct help and support to Dagger Brigade Soldiers and Families
• demonstrate support from America through a community linkage
• educate Westonites (Weston, CT) on the dedication and sacrifices of our Soldiers

Soldiers and their families have been the focus of Gil Sanborn’s life and energy ever since.

In March 2009 during their deployment in 2006-2007, Lt. Col Bob Whittle (former Commander of the Task Force Guardian of the Dagger Brigade) asked Gil if he would come out to Ft. Riley to address his 1st Engineer Battalion at their pre-deployment ball before they headed off to Iraq and Afghanistan. He asked Gil to talk about his experiences on Sept 11, 2001. Gil, honored, gladly accepted.

On this National Day of Service and Remembrance marking 8th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept 11, Gil shared those remarks with me. In turn, I shared them with Mike Pratt ‘87, who was in the building next to the World Trade Center on 9/11. This morning we spoke as we had on that date 8 years ago.

Click here to read Gil Sanborn’s remarks to the 1st Engineer Battalion.