9/11 Tribute in Schools

Even though Phillips County is thousands of miles from any city or location where the tragic event known as 9/11 even happened, it will be a part of the remembrances across the nation.

From sea to shining sea, from grain fields to city streets and especially within hearts of those who were part of the world listening to the devastation on TV or the radio, few will ever forget that day. And that is understandable - it touched many lives, like the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. It is a notable day in U.S. history.

All four public schools in the county, Dodson, Malta, Saco and Whitewater, and the East Malta Hutterite Colony and Loring Colony will be offering one minute of silence at 8:46 a.m. on this morning… 9/11 as their way of remembering the firefighters, EMS, police officers, pilots, nurses, and all the others who bring the total death toll to 2,996. This is for the innocent lives, given either in service, response to, or as a result of the terrorist acts that are forever etched in our minds.

It is unfortunate that we have to be drawn together and embrace events that were so selfish, needless and destructive. Yet, by embracing the reminders of the past, we can move on to the future.

This article will not reach all of our readers in time to join the silence at 8:46 a.m., so if one is so inclined…take a minute when this reaches you and join in the effort in thought and silent remembrance when you can.

We appreciate our county schools for their participation. The events on 9/11 are a reminder of the need for a strong educational system in our schools. It is especially important to stand strong on unity, freedom, justice, patriotism and Americanism. We appreciate you for keeping those values alive.