PORT ANGELES — Nearly 2,000 students took a humble seat on the lawn of Port Angeles High School’s upper field Wednesday to remember the victims of last year’s terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
Wearing red, white and blue, they proudly carried flags, banners and ribbons proclaiming their patriotism.
Many cried silently.
Others leaned on friends and hugged each other for support as guest speakers from police, fire, U.S. Coast Guard, School Board, Lower Elwha Klallam tribe and city representatives addressed them and other community members during the 90-minute Patriot Day ceremony.
“Students, staff and friends, today we remember a day to not be forgotten,” School Board President Charlie McClain said referring to Sept. 11, 2001 — the day terrorists did the unthinkable and killed thousands of Americans on American soil.
Superintendent Gary Cohn reminded students of the sacrifices of those victims and the freedoms they died for.
“You will inherit and preserve this freedom,” Cohn said. “You are what America means to me.”
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The rest of the story appears in the Thursday Peninsula Daily News. Click on SUBSCRIBE to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.
