09/11/2026
🇺🇸 A Special Message from Today’s Freedom Walk 🇺🇸
Thank you to our Diamondback families who joined us for today’s Freedom Walk. We were honored to have LTC Frank Dolberry, Commander of 1-9 CAV, share a powerful message of remembrance, courage, unity, and kindness with our students.
We wanted to share his message with our entire Diamondback family. ❤️🤍💙
Message from LTC Frank Dolberry:
Good morning to the students and faculty of Alice W. Douse Elementary. I am LTC Frank Dolberry, the commander of 1-9 CAV on Fort Hood. On behalf of all the troopers of 1-9 CAV, CSM Chris Reyes and I are extremely grateful for being asked to participate in today’s Freedom Walk in remembrance of the attacks that took place on this very day 25 years ago.
Before we begin, I want to briefly answer two questions to highlight the significance of today and why we must continue to remember this day:
1. What did 9/11 mean for our nation?
On this day 25 years ago, our nation came together as a family. The differences that set us apart no longer mattered, and our similarities became the focus as a nation. On this day, we were all Americans, and we all needed to stand together to show unity during this scary time.
We remember this day not because it was scary, but because of the brave people who stepped up to help. Firefighters ran toward danger to save others. Police officers guided people to safety. Everyday neighbors helped neighbors, and strangers helped strangers.
Americans showed the world what courage looks like, and their bravery still teaches us something powerful: when hard things happen, people can choose to help each other.
Additionally, these attacks led many of the soldiers you see before you to deploy to countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. We deployed with the purpose of never allowing another 9/11 to take place on our soil. I would like to believe that we were successful.
Twenty-five years later, we honor the memory of everyone who was lost that day. We also honor the first responders, the families who kept going, and the whole country that came together during a difficult time. Communities held hands, cities supported each other, and people found strength by standing side by side.
2. What does today mean 25 years later and beyond?
Today, I believe this day teaches all of us, even as kids, that despite what the days bring, we have a choice to be kind and help one another.
Choose kindness every single day. Helping a friend who feels left out, telling the truth, sharing, and standing up for someone being treated unfairly—these are the same values the helpers showed twenty-five years ago.
Anyone can choose to be a helper.
Anyone can choose to show courage.
Anyone can choose to make someone else’s day better with a small, kind act.
Among the freedoms we have in this country, we have the freedom to choose.
Thank you for remembering with respect and kindness today. Let’s carry that spirit of supporting and helping each other from this Freedom Walk into everything we do.
Finally, be proud of your country for growing stronger since that day, and be proud that you are an American. 🇺🇸
