Soldier Speaks to Students at HCC on Fighting The War on Terror

"In reality, this is their security. This is their future that our military is securing," said SFC, Lester Merritt Hammond, 80th Division U.S. Army Reserve. The army reservist from Greencastle recently returned from a year in Iraq, working as part of a convoy security team. He spoke to a crowd of students about the war on terror and how he feels the United States presence in Iraq is absolutely necessary. "They dont want America to be alive. They dont want the people of America alive. They want us dead and gone," said Hammond. "If we dont keep them there, they will be here." One student listening intently is engaged to a soldier whos headed overseas. "Ive buried five of my best friends who went to Iraq, and I felt I owed it to them to come and see what this guy had to say," said Stephanie Midkiff, a student at HCC. She worries that someday her children or grandchildren will forget what this day means. "Thousands of people died and their lives arent inconsequential. They need to be remembered," said Midkiff. Sergeant Hammond said America needs to pull together and stay together. "The simplest thing like a flag, put it on your porch especially on days like today so that Americans remember we were attacked," said Hammond. Reported by Angela Bohon [email]abohon@nbc25.com[/email]" Hundreds Gather to Remember Passengers and Crew on United Flight 93,1158011799,1158011799,"[img align=left]http://www.nbc25.com/main/uploads/sabraham_1158012704_shanksville.gif[/img]SHANKSVILLE, PA- As millions gathered around the country on September 11th to remember those killed five years ago on this day, close to 1,000 gathered in Shanksville, Pennsylvania to remember the passengers and crew of Flight 93.