77th logoRifles77TH INFANTRY DIVISION
RESERVE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION INC

9-11 Remembrance Ceremony

Fort Totten, Bayside, NY
11 September 2016

      On 11 September 2016, a Remembrance Ceremony hosted by COL Michael G. Floru, Commander, 3rd BDE, 100th Training Division, and Fort Totten Installation Commander, to honor the six Soldiers of the 77th Regional Readiness Command who perished at the World Trade Center on 9-11-01, was held in the 77th Memorial Grove next to the Ernie Pyle USAR Center, Fort Totten, NY.
     Beginning in 2002, our Association has sponsored the 77th Memorial Grove as a way to honor all of the Soldiers of the 77th Infantry Division and its successor organizations. On 3 November 2002, a polished granite monument, which had been purchased by our Association, in the center of the Grove was specifically dedicated to the memory of the six WTC Soldiers: LTC William Pohlman; CPT Michael Dermot Mullan; CPT Mark P. Whitford; WO1 Ronald P. Bucca; SSG Frederick J. Ill, Jr.; and SGT Shawn Edward Powell. Five of these were employed in their civilian capacities by the New York City Fire Department at the time of their deaths.
     The 2016 ceremony, which was held in front of formations of NYC Firefighters and Soldiers from various units, was led as Master of Ceremony by SFC Fabian J. Savino, USAR. It featured remarks by COL Adam Roth, Regional Engineer, 99th Regional Support Command, and USARC CSM James Wills. Detailed biographies of COL Roth and CSM Wills, and of the six Soldiers of the 77th RRC being honored, appeared in the program for the ceremony. Click here to see the program for the 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony.
     Also participating in the ceremony were a Color Guard of the College of the City University of New York, and the 319th U.S. Army Band, led by SFC Patricia Flowers.
     Attending the ceremony on behalf of our Association as guests were the following directors: COL Louis H. Sudholz, Jr. (Ret), President; LTC Thomas P. Sullivan, Deputy Commander, 77th Sustainment Brigade; COL (Ret) and Mrs. Seymour Kaplan; COL Edwin G. Logan (Ret); LTC (Ret) and Mrs. John W. Peterkin; and Mr. Malcolm R. Schade.
     Also attending from our Association were the following additional members: COL Pamela L. McGaha, Commander, 77th Sustainment Brigade; LTC Anthony J. Bilello (Ret); and CW5 Robert Neglia (Ret).
     CSM Brian R. Ladlee, 77th Sustainment Brigade, also attended.

     Photos of this event can be viewed on the Photo Albums page under the “News & Events” tab of this web site.