JROTC Holds Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

At 9:00 a.m. yesterday, the Alexandria City High School Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program held their annual memorial in remembrance of the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. The JROTC program holds this memorial annually to honor the civilian and first responder lives that were lost that day.

The ceremony began with opening remarks by battalion commander London Gomez, which was followed by a prayer and invocation by Reverend Larry Fox of the Oakland Baptist church. There were guest speeches from ACPS Chief of staff Doctor Grace Taylor, King St. campus administrator Carter Sinclair, Alexandria City Sheriff Sean Casey, Lieutenant Liz Maygar, firefighter Leslie Paleucho, and career and technical education (CTE) academic principal Brandi Debrah. 

After the introduction, Taylor and Sinclair gave their speeches.

“This gathering is a test of our nation’s resilience, and a reminder of the unity we found in the face of this tragedy,” said Taylor. “Let us carry the memory of this day in our hearts in this very very moment, and pledge never to forget, whether you were alive or you were not alive.”

“And so, today, as we observe this solemn occasion, I ask that we hold space for both history and for memory,” said Carter Sinclair. “Because for those who remember these lived experiences, it is a reminder for how fragile life can be, how deeply connected we can be in crisis, and how resilient we can become after its aftermath.

After the speeches from the administrators, Nathania My Love and Cadet Captain London Gomez retold the sequence of events from September 11 2001.

“While most of us were not yet born when it happened, many people throughout the world can recount the day by the minute,” said My Love. “They remember where they were, what they were doing, and what they saw.”

After the retelling of events, Alexandria City first responders stepped up to the podium to deliver their speeches.

“What gives me hope today is that we have so many people standing right in front of me that are ready to sacrifice and are ready to help this country in times of need.” said Casey.

After Casey, Magyar delivered her speech representing the Alexandria city police department and Chief of Police Terry McGuire.

“As I look at you, I think these [ACHS JROTC members] are our future,” said Magyar. These are our future first responders, our future military, our future medics, firemen, sheriffs, and I’m very proud of you. I’m proud of you for recognizing this day, for honoring the people that gave their lives.”

“We know our past. Live today, in the present,” said Paleucho. “Tomorrow we don’t know what’s going to happen, so go home and hug your loved ones, and continue to inspire everyone.”

Once the speeches conclude, the United States and Virginian flags are raised to half staff while taps are played.

After the flags, CTE academic principal Brandi Debrah gives her closing speech to the audience.

“Today isn’t just about remembering what was lost, but it’s also about honoring the lessons we gained,” said Debrah. “The importance of compassion, the strength of standing together, and the responsibility we all share to build a kinder, safer world.”

Theogony interviewed cadet captain London Gomez and Nathalia My Love about the importance of the ceremony to themselves and the JROTC program.

“I think it’s important not only to me, but to the cadets as well to remember a big important part of our history,” said Gomez. “Especially since none of us were born then. We were all born after, so I think it’s important for us to remember.”

“Even though I wasn’t alive at the time of the event, it means the country coming together during a time of hardship, and coming together to make sacrifices to help those in need,” said My Love. “It’s important to the program because we have a lot of people here who aspire to be future leaders and serve our country, so it’s very important to understand what that sacrifice actually means.”