Not Just Another Day in the History Books: Crossroads Elementary Observes Patriot Day

(The following press release was issued by the on Sept. 11, 2012.)

Today students at participated in the annual Patriot Day Celebration to remember the lives lost on 9/11 and to honor community service providers.

Crossroads has held this celebration every year since the first anniversary of September 11. Students visited stations that included presentations by the , St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department, and Metro Air Support. The event is organized by Crossroads teachers David Bates, Amanda Steck and Rebecca Kerley.

“Today we are here to honor our community heroes that keep us safe every day. We honor our firemen, our police, our doctors and nurses, our security guards, our National Guard, our Coast Guard and all our Armed Forces. These are the heroes that protect and keep our nation free,” said Mr. Bates in opening remarks. “Eleven years ago on a beautiful Tuesday morning, our country was attacked and innocent people died along with many firemen and police officers. We are here today to honor and remember those fallen heroes of September 11, 2001.”  

All of the students participating in the event were born after September 11, 2001. According to Mr. Bates, that’s all the more reason to have this type of celebration. “We don’t want it to be just another day in history for them that they read about in a textbook. Students need to know what happened on 9/11 – it’s something we should never forget – especially those who gave their lives for us.  Students also need to know about all the men and women who keep our country safe every day.”

Flags were flown at half-staff across the District in honor of 9/11 victims and first responders. Many schools had moments of silence, encouraged students to wear red, white and blue, and discussed the events of that historic day.