Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Area schools remember 9/11 with flag-raisings
Ceremony at Bradford Heights Elementary School honors those lost in terrorist attack
Several local schools paid tribute to victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks with flag raising ceremonies.
Bradford Heights Elementary Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts led their classmates during the 9/11 ceremony on Monday to honor those lost in the terrorism attack.
The kindergarten through fifth grade school, of the Downingtown Area School District, on Monday held its third annual “Bradford Heights Patriots’ Flag Raising” ceremony in West Bradford Township. The raising of the American flag honored the nearly 3,000 people who died in the terrorist attacks 16 years ago that Monday.
“We gather this morning on Patriot Day to remember the countless military servicemen and women, and first responders who have dedicated their lives in service to our nation,” Bradford Heights Principal Andrew Hoffert said.
He explained that U.S. flags are ordered to be flown at half-staff. In 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act to recognize Sept. 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, Hoffert said, “calling upon Americans to make an enduring commitment to serve their local community and our nation.”
During the attacks by al-Qaida linked terrorists, they hijacked four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001 and flew two into the World Trade Center in New York and one into the Pentagon in Virginia. The fourth airplane, Flight 93, crashed into an open field in Shanksville, Somerset County, when those onboard stopped the hijackers from reaching their target in Washington, D.C.
Hoffert asked the students and faculty to thank the guests by applauding those invited to the ceremony, including Downingtown Police, Pennsylvania State Police and West Bradford Fire Company and military personnel, active or retired.
Fifth-grade student Lucy Dierkes, of Troop 41080, served as the master of ceremonies and she called the orders for the color guard, consisting of Bradford Heights students. Third-grade student Elizabeth Cousins, of Troop 4057, served as the flag bearer. Fourth-grade student Jacob Young, of Webelos I, raised the flag. Hoffert said that the American flag they displayed was flown over the Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville.
The honor guard of Girl and Cub Scouts who also participated in the ceremony included fourth-grade student Maddie Heunch, of Troop 41382; fifth-grade student Matthew Mozhdehi of Webelos II; and thirdgrade student Max Fuller, of Bears.
Following the playing of the National Anthem, those in attendance observed a moment of silence and then recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
School officials provide parents with resources to assist them in teaching their child about Sept. 11, 2001 if they decide to talk about it as a family. In school, the students are taught about honoring those who serve in the military and as first responders.
Visit Daily Local News staff writer Ginger Rae Dunbar’s blog about journalism and volunteering as a firefighter at FirefighterGinger.blogspot.com.