From 9:30-10:30 a.m. today, the ACHS JROTC program held their annual ceremony in remembrance of the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks. The gathering hoped to honor and commemorate the 2,996 individuals who lost their lives in the attacks. Cadet Corporal Megan Collard led the ceremony and made opening remarks.
“This day marks a profound moment in history, one that forever changed our nation,” Collard said. “Together, we unite to pay our respects, express our gratitude, and stand as a testament to the strength and resilience of our community.”
Cadet 2nd Lieutenant London Gomez then proceeded to review a timeline of events, which walked through the hijacking of American Airlines Flight 11, United Flight 175, American Airlines Flight 77, and United Airlines Flight 93. Collard and Gomez also discussed subsequent rescue and cleanup efforts, as well as the National response.
“While most of us were not yet born when it happened, many people throughout the world can recount the day by the minute,” Gomez said.
Guest speakers International Academy Academic Principal Benjamin Hammond, Alexandria City Police Department Lieutenant Liz Magyar, Alexandria City Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Lee Houston, and Master Sergeant David Wagstaff all spoke at the event.
“In those moments we were afraid, in some ways we still are,” said Hammond. “But we honor the fallen of that day, and those that fell afterwards protecting our country, by living our lives with joy.”
Magyar continued the ceremony by recounting her personal experience with the 9/11 attacks.
“I was a detective at the time,” said Magyar. “I was working the night shift and it came across the television and it was incredibly shocking.”
Houston discussed how the community can respond to 9/11 going forward.
“You talk about a day of mourning, absolutely, we should never forget, ever,” said Houston. “We should pay respects to everybody who lost their lives on that day, but it’s not just about mourning. It’s about moving forward. We should be hopeful.”
Wagstaff shared a personal story among other remarks.
“Twenty three years ago, 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights,” said Wagstaff. “Two thousand six hundred six people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning, 333 Fire fighters went to sleep in preparation for their next shift, 60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol, 8 paramedics went to sleep for their morning shift of saving lives, and 1 canine went to bed a good boy. None of them saw past 10 hundred the next morning.”
Following the guest speakers, both the Virginian and American flags were raised to half-staff. The crowd stood still in a moment of silence in honor of those who lost their lives.
The ceremony concluded with closing remarks from JROTC Battalion Commander Cadet Major Anthony Galo.
“As we leave and go back to our classrooms, let us not forget the tragic event that took place on this day,” said Galo.
Theogony asked both Lieutenant Liz Magyar and Senior Master Sergeant David Wagstaff what the date meant to them.
“It means a lot to me, and it meant a lot to me to be here,” said Magyar. “This is a very emotional day for me, everything that occurred that day, since I was already in law enforcement, it does strike personally very close. I had friends and neighbors who worked at the Pentagon…this day to me, it should be a day of remembrance.”
“I was in college at the time, and it was a very visceral feeling when watching on the television,” said Wagstaff. “Even though no one I personally knew was there, the whole of America was invested in what was happening. It was an incredibly tragic moment, powerfully sad, and also uniting.”
