SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Sullivan Elementary School students in third through fifth grade honored the lives of the firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, while saving others.
“Why? There’s no point to fly a plane into the biggest towers that probably have the most people in them,” 4th grader Owen Gambill said.
While Owen wasn’t yet born when the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil happened, he and his classmates would be interested to know, where were you on September 11, 2001? It’s a day most people can recall exactly where they were, what they were doing, and who they were surrounded by. 22 years later, SES students are learning about that day in history.
“There’s a lot of brave firemen and policemen that died trying to help all the people,” 4th grader, Savannah Wells said.
“We made posters. We’re also reading the book I Remember and we’re learning about the airplanes crashing,” Ellie Branson said.
And taking time to never forget.
Classmate, Stella Tompson said, “There are some people in the world who still care.”
“Representing the people of America and how they had to risk their lives for… us,” Gambill added.
To reflect, students listened as music teacher, Mr. Hawley, read them a timeline of the tragic events.
“At 8:46 AM, Eastern Time, American Airlines Flight 11 hit the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City,” his voice rang out across the track.
The timeline, followed by a moment of silence, before Sullivan Elementary School’s annual ‘Walk to Remember began.”
“Our children are walking around the track, walking 3.43 laps around the track, to remember the 343 firemen that perished during the 9-11 attacks,” Hawley said.
“Walk the track with the fire hose and the flag and represent what they had to go through. And go into Twin Towers and risk their lives to save others,” Owen said.
What did it feel like walking those laps? Carrying that fire hose?
“Someone was looking over us,” Owen said while shaking his head yes and smiling. “Just being super happy. And it makes me super happy that we’re representing.”
What would your message be to those brave men and women?
“Thank you, thank you,” Owen said. “Just thank you very, very much. God bless America.”
Fourth-grade teacher, Mia Moody organizes the walk each year. Students were encouraged this Patriot Day to wear red, white, and blue. Throughout the school day schoolwork was paused as teachers read from the timeline of September 11 which was followed by a moment of silence.
