All photos courtesy of Appoquinimink School District.

Appo, DMA host annual 9/11 ceremonies of remembrance 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The three high schools of Appoquinimink School District united Wednesday for its annual Patriot Day ceremony to remember the tragic events of 9/11.

It’s been 23 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when  2,977 individuals lost their lives at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and on U.S. Air Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pa.

In recent years, there’s been an emphasis on explaining the significance of the event, as today’s school-aged students were not alive for that day in history. 

Appo’s JROTC program ran the ceremony with plenty of military personnel and first responders in attendance.

After brief remarks, the JROTC cadets solemnly unfurled and raised the USA flag, Delaware flag and the Freedom Flag – a symbolic reminder of the events of 9/11.

In 2017, Appo became Delaware’s first school district to raise 9/11 flags at every school after a fundraising campaign initiated by Appoquinimink School District parent Jason Wall.

The flag has the following symbols: 

  • A field of blue represents all Americans united together for freedom;
  • Two broad red stripes, symbolize the Twin Towers and bloodshed of the people who perished at the World Trade Center – including those aboard American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 – the highjacked flights that were intentionally crashed into the building;
  • Three white stripes, in memory of the rescue workers, firefighters, police officers, Port Authority employees and others who worked tirelessly during and after the attacks; and
  • Two smaller red stripes (at the top and bottom of the flag) to honor the crew and passengers who lost their lives aboard the American Airlines Flight 77 and United Airlines Flight 93 – planes that were hijacked and then crashed into the Pentagon and downed in Shanksville, PA;
  • Finally, five white bars, representing the Pentagon and the organized protection of our freedom, surrounded a large white star symbolizing all who lived and died for freedom.

The Delaware Military Academy also had their annual ceremony Wednesday to remember the day. 

Related Posts:

Share this Post