King Felipe VI and Spanish and U.S. military personnel pay tribute to the victims of 9/11 in Rota

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States, in which 2,996 people were killed.

The history of the Spanish woman murdered in the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001
Tribute of Spanish and American servicemen to the victims from 9/11 at Naval Station Rota

This morning, H.M. King Felipe VI of Spain presided over a ceremony honoring the victims of 9/11 at Naval Station Rota in Cádiz, a joint military facility used by the Spanish Navy and the United States Armed Forces. The Royal Household has released this video of the event:

The event was attended by military personnel from both countries, representing the Spanish Navy, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps, and the U.S. Air Force. It was also attended by the United States Ambassador to Spain, Benjamin León, and Spanish civil authorities.

"The ceremony began with the parade of the Honor Guard and the playing of the national anthems of Spain and the United States, followed by a flyover by Spanish Navy and US Navy aircraft," the Royal Household noted. You can see those aircraft above: two Seahawk helicopters, an NH90, and an H135.

The Royal Household added: "Subsequently, the floral tribute took place, during which His Majesty the King and the United States Ambassador to Spain each placed a ribbon on the wreaths carried by representatives of the Fire Department and the United States Navy."

"The event also included a religious invocation, a commemorative reading regarding September 11, and remarks by the commander of U.S. Naval Activities in Spain and the U.S. Ambassador to Spain. The ceremony concluded with the 'Last Alarm,' the ringing of the bell, the benediction, and the playing of 'Taps,'" the Royal Household adds. Here, the American commander at Rota, Captain Charles A. Chmielak, is seen delivering remarks. Behind him stands one of the U.S. Navy fire trucks from the base, honoring the 415 New York emergency responders who lost their lives in the attack on the Twin Towers.

Only one annual raising of the United States flag is authorized at Rota Naval Base, as Spanish law stipulates that only the Spanish flag may fly at Spain's military bases. However, another exception was made today to authorize the raising of the US flag at half-staff in tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The Royal Household has highlighted that this is the second time Don Felipe has participated in a commemorative event at the Rota Naval Base marking the 9/11 attacks: "The then-Prince of Asturias attended a tribute held on September 16, 2001, also in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks."

Meanwhile, during his visit to Rota, Felipe VI inaugurated the "Base Forum" Rota Municipal Cultural Center and Museum, a 2,300-square-meter museum space showcasing "the strong ties between the Americans stationed at the Naval Base, the Spanish Navy, and the local residents of this town in Cádiz." The exhibits at the center include one of the former SH-3D Sea King helicopters from the Spanish Navy's disbanded 5th Squadron (pictured above).

You can view more photos below of the tribute to the 9/11 victims in Rota, published by His Majesty the King's Household, the Ministry of Defence, and the Naval Station Rota Facebook page, managed by the U.S. Navy.

---

Photos: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey / Ministerio de Defensa / Naval Station Rota.