US soldiers in Afghanistan pause to remember 9/11

US soldiers training the Afghan army watched in silence today as an American flag was lowered to half-staff at an American base in Afghanistan, as troops around the country paused to remember the attacks of September 11 six years ago.

Maj. Gen. Robert Cone told 100 soldiers at a US base in Kabul that there was “no alternative” to victory over terrorism.

“We are here now six years later, not as a conquering force, not as an invader seeking to vanquish the Afghans, but rather to do what is right – to seek out and destroy our common enemy,” Cone said. “

As allies, we will train and equip the Afghans. We will help them to provide for their people because we are Americans.”

Air Force Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Evens said her sister had been living in New York City during the attacks six years ago, causing her family several hours of worry before contact could be established. Evens said she was now serving in Afghanistan “to help the Afghan people”.

At the main US base at Bagram, a memorial ceremony was set to be held later today to coincide with the time the first hijacked plane slammed into one of the two World Trade Centre towers.

Scheduled speakers included Sgt. Greg Barbaccia, who was a high school student in Manhattan in September 2001.