McKinley marks 9/11 anniversary
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STEUBENVILLE - McKinley STEM Academy was among schools throughout the nation that marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S. with a special program on Friday morning.
And they did so by expressing their thanks to the many emergency first responders and members of the military who serve the nation and its communities.
As she addressed the many students, staff and visiting police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel, Principal Lynett Gorman noted 9-11 was a horrible day but there were many brave and caring people who rushed forward to help those affected by the attacks.
Gorman noted that since then, the date has been named Patriot Day, an opportunity to recognize the many members of the military and emergency personnel for their service.
"Today reminds us that even in tough times, we can choose to be helpers," she said.
Several children stepped forward to reflect on heroes who worked to help people harmed by the attacks, from firefighters who rushed into the collapsing buildings to doctors and nurses who treated those who survived.
They noted their own communities have many police officers, firefighters and ambulance crew members who work to protect and help their fellow citizens.
The many children and adults who gathered around the flagpole outside the school also heard from Mayor Ralph Petrella.
He recalled learning of the terrorist attacks in his eighth-grade home economics class.
Petrella said while the events of that day are a blur to him now, he remembers clearly the following day, when a spirit of unity prevailed among Americans, with U.S. flags and decorations of red, white and blue displayed everywhere.
The service, which included patriotic music performed by the Steubenville High School Marching Band, was organized by Amy Bailey, a third-grade teacher at McKinley STEM Academy and the wife of a local law enforcement officer.
Bailey noted the school has observed Patriot Day each year since it opened in 2019, with local first responders invited to attend as special guests.
"They have been very thankful to be recognized through the years," she said.
Following the service, students presented large thank you signs to this year's guests, including members of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, Steubenville police and fire departments, and members of Steubenville American Legion Post 33.
They also were invited to a breakfast in the school's cafeteria.
Heather Hancher, an emergency medical technician with the Brooke County Ambulance Service, said her son, a pre-schooler at McKinley, wanted to be sure she attended.
Asked how she felt about the service, she said, "It was very nice. But I think of it as a job I go to every day, not something I'm going to be recognized for.
Steubenville Police Chief Wes Crawford said of the program, "It's really nice for us to come and see the kids. And it's very important for them to learn about 9-11."
Crawford said he hopes such programs will help to inspire a sense of unity and pride at a time of great tension in this country.