Weekly Column: Idahoans Remembered On Patriot Day

It is hard to believe 25 years have passed since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Idahoans Brady Kay Howell, of Sugar City, and Ronald J. Vauk, of Nampa, were among those killed at the Pentagon that morning. Both are honored at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. Shining a light on who they were is a key part of reflecting on this solemn anniversary. The following are descriptions of these two Idahoans included on the Memorial’s website, at https://www.war.gov/Multimedia/Experience/Pentagon-Memorial/ : Brady Kay Howell , 26, was born April 4, 1975, in Rexburg, Idaho. He was a student-body president of Sugar-Salem High School and received his Eagle Scout award. He received a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in New York, while working for the Office of National Security Studies. He received undergraduate degrees in Political Science from Utah State University in Logan, Utah, and Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. Brady’s intellect, character and integrity resulted in his selection to the Presidential Management Internship program in Washington. Upon graduation, he managed to secure a very competitive position with the Chief of Naval Operations. Navy Lieutenant Commander Ronald James Vauk earned an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with a commission and a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1987. After nuclear power school training, Ron served on the submarines USS Glenard P. Lipscomb and the USS Oklahoma City, attaining the rank of lieutenant commander. He left active duty for the Navy Reserve in 1993. He was serving the second day of his annual reserve duty at the Pentagon when the terrorists’ plane hit. Ron worked for several years as a project manager at Delex Systems and RSIS Inc. before joining the submarine technology department of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory outside Columbia, Maryland. While there, he earned a Master’s degree in Business from the University of Maryland and rose quickly to become an assistant group supervisor and task leader for a number of diverse projects. This is a mere snapshot of who they were. Lt. Commander Vauk was a father with a successful career of service to our country. Brady Kay Howell was young, married with considerable achievements in a promising career, and both men were deeply loved husbands, sons, brothers, uncles and friends, with roles in their families and communities they uniquely filled. For Americans, September 11, 2001, was a defining moment. It altered our sense of security but also reinforced our resolve and unity. America was attacked because our freedoms, resources, innovation and economic system have positioned America as a leader throughout the world. Thousands of American servicemembers in the 25 years since have fought against terrorism and extremist threats across the globe. Let us hold in our hearts the memories of those lost on that dark day and in the years since. I continue to pray for those affected by the attacks that day and the servicemembers killed in action and their loved ones, those still suffering here at home, and I pray for the safety of those continuing to risk their lives to keep Americans and our nation safe. As we observe Patriot Day as a national day of service and remembrance for the thousands of lives lost in the 9/11 attacks, help us recall as the U.S. Army notes , “That day fortified Americans with pride and patriotism and created a spirit of service in the hearts of a new generation.” This anniversary of those tragic events is a day of remembrance of the Americans lost and the American resolve forged in their honor. (The names of Brady Kay Howell (Sugar City) and Ronald J. Vauk (Nampa) are etched onto individual benches at the Pentagon’s 9/11 Memorial.) # # #