Schools

Moment of Silence for 9/11 Held at Lafayette High

A solemn event was held Friday morning at the Lafayette football stadium shortly after a pep rally was held due to the school being selected as Fox 2 school of the week.

The yin-yang juxaposition was pronounced at Friday morning, as a large group of Lancer students gathered with Principal John Shaughnessy and Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps students to conduct a serious ceremony in observation of the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, just after they hosted an early morning pep rally due to being selected as Fox 2 KTVI school of the week for Pep Zone.

"The United States continues to wrestle with and reconcile the events of that day (Sept. 11), and it is important that we as a nation continue to recognize this American tragedy, embrace its symbolism, and always be vigilant to the fact that each of us has a responsibility to nurture and defend our freedom," Shaughnessy said in his remarks to the students and guests β€” many of whom were as young as 4 years-old when during the World Trade Center attacks.

Shaughnessy said they wanted to pay tribute to the thousands who died at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in the four crashed planes. "But we also honor all first responders and military troops who continue to fight to save lives and protect our nation on a daily basis."

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On the east end of Lafayette's football stadium, the cadets raised the American flag and then lowered it to half-staff.

Lafayette students Sarah Wilson played taps on the trumpet and Ryan Beike played the snare drum.

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"Those whom we lost on Sept. 11, 2001, will forever hold a cherished place in our hearts and in the history of our nation," said Shaughnessy. "As we mark the 10th anniversary of that tragic day, we remember their sacrifice and we commit ourselves to honoring their memory by pursuing peace and justice in the world and security at home."

Shaughnessy said during Operation Iraqui Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, 6,155 U.S. service members as well as 15 government civilians to date had paid the ultimate sacrifice of life for other American's freedom.

He said 130 of those service members were from Missouri, and that five of the service members "belonged to the Rockwood School District family":Β  Peter Navarro and Paul Varner, ; Riley Baker, ; Roslyn Schulte, Marquette High School; and Edward Forrest Jr., Rockwood Summit High School.

He reminded attendees that through a joint resolution approved Dec. 18, 2001, Congress authorized and requested that Sept. 11 of each year be designated as Patriot Day. "I ask that each of you take some time Sunday to remember and honor those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, and to also remember the sacrifices of those men and women of our military who have dedicated themselves and their lives to the war on terrorism and the freedom of our country."


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