Naval Intelligence Honors Eight Fallen Shipmates on 9/11

For ONI’s full report: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/480603/oni-honors-those-lost-9-11

ONI held its annual wreath-laying ceremony at the National Maritime Intelligence Center 9/11 Remembrance Garden in Suitland, Maryland on the morning of 9/11 to honor the eight ONI shipmates who were working in CNO-IP and perished in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Deputy Director for Operational Support and International Partnerships in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence & Security) (and former deputy Commander, ONI) Andrew Richardson was the guest speaker during the ceremony. Each year, NIP donates the wreath used in the ceremony.

During the ceremony, the names of the fallen were read aloud and a bell was tolled for each, including: CDR Dan Shanower, LCDR Vince Tolbert, LT Jonas Panik, LT Darin Pontell, Petty Officer 1st Class Julian Cooper, Angela Houtz, Brady Howell, and Gerry Moran.  

Family members from some of the fallen attended the ceremony, along with RADM (Ret) Rick Porterfield (who was the Director of Naval Intelligence on 9/11) and his wife Jody, CAPT (Ret) Tom Bortmes (who was the Commander of ONI at the time) and his wife Maureen, and several Naval Intelligence leaders, to include NIP Chair VADM (Ret) Bob sharp and Foundation Committee Chair CAPT (Ret) Mark Greer.  

At noon, CNO-IP held another ceremony at Arlington Cemetery. Under Secretary of the Navy on Intelligence, Sensitive Activities, Special Operations and Irregular Warfare Victor Minella delivered remarks at that ceremony. The ceremony at Arlington also included laying wreaths at the cemetery’s Pentagon Memorial and a nearby columbarium where two CNO-IP personnel are interred. 

Each year, NIP donates a wreath for the wreath-laying ceremony in the NMIC Remembrance Garden on 9/11. (U.S. Navy/Chris McGinity)

Deputy Director for Operational Support and International Partnerships in OUSD (I&S) (and former deputy Commander, ONI) Andrew Richardson was the guest speaker at the ceremony on 9/11. (U.S. Navy/Chris McGinity)

CAPT (Ret) Tom Bortmes (center) and his wife Maureen pay their respects during the ceremony on 9/11. (U.S. Navy/Chris McGinity)

NIP Chair VADM (Ret) Robert Sharp (right) speaks with CAPT (Ret) Mark Greer during the ceremony on 9/11. (U.S. NavyChris McGinity)

Regan Howell, brother of Brady Howell (center left), and Assistant Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence Sandy Brown join sailors assigned to CNO-IP in the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on 9/11. (U.S. Navy/Chris McGinity)