Soldiers from three different countries took time away

Soldiers from three different countries took time away from their training missions and gathered to attend the 9/11 memorial service held in the field in the early morning light. Georgia Guardsmen are working hand-in-hand with infantrymen from Scotland’s 7th Battalion, Royal Regiment, Highlanders and the 48th Canadian Highlanders during an international scenario-based training exercise known as the eXportable Combat Training Capabilities (XCTC). The service began with powerful words from Cartersville, Ga., native Capt. David Thornton, chaplain for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT). “Thank you for what you have done, for what you have contributed, and for how you have bonded together to do this great work in the world,” said Thornton. The chaplain then went on to tell of his memories of that infamous day the World Trade Center crumbled. He spoke of how he views the men and women of the armed forces since that day. “I am proud and appreciative today because our country has done the right thing. To stand up and say enough is enough. That our country has stood up and said that unrighteousness will not prevail!” he said. After his moving words, Capt. Thornton led troops in a moment of silence and a prayer. Pvt. Keith Christie of the 7th Battalion, Royal Regiment, Highlanders of Scotland paid tribute to the fallen and played their traditional lament “Flowers of the Forrest” on bagpipes. The Georgia National Guard 48th IBCT hosts the XCTC program to provide soldiers with an experience similar to combat missions overseas. XCTC is a battalion field-training instrument designed to certify company proficiency in coordination with First Army. More than 2,000 Georgia Guardsmen, along with soldiers from Scotland and Canada, have converged on the regional training center at Fort Stewart, minimizing cost and time otherwise spent traveling to one of the Army’s Combat Training Centers in Fort Irwin, Calif., or Fort Polk, La.