Sept. 11 attacks led to ‘reckoning,’ says commander of military base in North Bay, Ont.

Ceremonies were held Thursday at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base in North Bay, Ont., to remember victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Canadians and Americans serving at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base in North Bay, Ont., were joined by family and firefighters to march for 11 hours straight Thursday to remember victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.

For the 25 United States Air Force personnel stationed at the North Bay, Ont., air force base, the 24th anniversary of the attacks hits home for them.

Two hijacked airplanes slammed into New York City’s World Trade Center. Another crashed into the Pentagon and a fourth crashed into a Pennsylvania field after the passengers bravely fought the hijackers to regain control of the aircraft.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed, including 24 Canadians and 127 servicepeople. On Thursday in North Bay, Canadian and American flags passed by as names of the victims were read aloud.

USAF Lt. Col. John Tannehill was 15 and riding in a car with his dad when they heard the news on the radio.

“We remember the acts of service that the first responders, the firefighters, policemen and the EMTs gave,” Tannehill said.

The attack strengthened the bond between Canada and the United States. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad), the binational military organization established by both nations in 1958, went through a “reckoning” after the attack, said Acting 22 Wing Commander Lt. Col. John Verran.

That reckoning resulted in the creation of Operation Noble Eagle (ONE), aimed at enhancing domestic surveillance of suspicious aircraft.

“The events of 9/11 really solidified the fact that there was a threat from within,” Verran said.

“We needed to change the way we do business and really start to look at what is the current threat and how do we defend against it?”

The attacks indirectly impacted North Bay.

Aircraft that were still in the air when the attack happened were ordered to land at the city’s Jack Garland Airport because the 10,000-foot runway could support larger jets.

Longer term, 9/11 led to a protracted military effort in Afghanistan to capture Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden and other leaders behind the attack.

Master Warrant Officer Andrew McKechnie said his life immediately changed following 9/11. He was part of the 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and served three tours of Afghanistan -- twice in Kandahar and once in Kabul.

“What we were there for, most importantly, I think, was a noble cause,” McKechnie told CTV News.

“That set my life in a direction moving forward that altered its course. Same with the friends that I served with, as well, and those that didn’t come home.”

Starting at the crack of dawn, 22 Wing/CFB members began ruck marching, raising money for a charity called Tuesday’s Children, which supports children and families who are victims of terrorism around the world.

“It was a dark day in North American history. Between my girls at home, my wife, my job, and my-day to-day, I would have to say I do not take life for granted,” McKechnie added.

“It’s given me a greater appreciation in life.”

“Go home every night and hug your loved ones,” Verran added.