On Friday, September 10, 2021, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) held ceremonies at each office location to observe Patriot Day, which fell on Saturday, September 11, 2021.
Employees at each site gathered for a moment of silence at 8:46 A.M. PST to pay respect to the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which officially began when a hijacked plane flew into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 A.M. EST.
County Superintendent Ted Alejandre offered remarks to the staff assembled at the Brier Building. He spoke of the devastating loss of life that took place on that fateful day and described the events that transpired. In addition to the attacks on the Twin Towers, two planes hit the South Tower and west wall of the Pentagon, respectively. A fourth plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after heroic acts by the passengers and crew prevented the hijackers from hitting their intended target. In total, 2,977 people were killed in the attacks, over 400 of whom were emergency workers and first responders, and over 6,000 others were injured.
Hayden Croteau, a member of the Cajon High School choir, gave a moving performance of “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America.”
The ceremony highlighted that Patriot Day is not just a day of remembrance, but also a day of service. Citizens are called to volunteer in their communities to pay tribute to the selflessness of the first responders and members of the military who have given their lives to defend others.
“This Patriot Day… we honor the unmatched bravery of our nation’s first responders,” said Alejandre. “We also commend those who, in the days and years following the attack, answered the call to serve our country and continue to risk their lives in defense of the matchless blessings of freedom.”
Flags were flown at half-staff at all SBCSS locations on September 11, 2021, in honor of Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance.
For more information about SBCSS, visit the County Schools website at www.sbcss.net.
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