The day that changed the world

“We still remember.” “Memory lingers.” “Love and peace, not war.” “God bless America.”

These were among the familiar phrases that were stressed by elementary school students yesterday morning as they reflected on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks of 2001 that shook the American nation and the entire world.

Snippets of the U.S. national anthem, as well as the CNMI anthem hit the airwaves as both Garapan and Kagman elementary schools held special flag ceremonies where students, teachers, and staff dressed in patriotic colors paid tribute to the fallen heroes and victims of the horrifying attacks, as well as the soldiers who are currently at the forefront of the war against terrorism.

“Two years ago, a very bad thing happened,” GES principal Yvonne Gomez told her students during their ceremony. “And even though it happened in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C., it made the rest of America, us, and the whole world sad. Tomorrow and next week you will probably see the pictures again on TV, but this morning we’re not here just to remember the awful things that happened.”

As a tribute, Gomez, her students, and the rest of the GES family reflected with a moment of silence in honor of the valor shown by the firefighters, police officers, soldiers, and even regular community members after the attacks.

A special recital was also included in the program, intended as a reminder of the reasons why President Bush declared war on terrorist groups in Afghanistan, as well as Saddam Hussein and his regime in Iraq.

“Your teachers, parents, all the grown ups who love you and I are here to remind you that there are people who work 24 hours a day to keep us safe. So we are here too, to show our thankfulness that we live in a free world and that our freedom is always on the minds of our leaders who protect the people,” Gomez said.

The school also had an enlarged version of the yellow ribbon commonly seen on island in honor of the soldiers at war, as well as the Flag of Honor, which consists of all the names of those who died as a result of the attacks.

“This is our yellow ribbon and we’ll proudly hang it outside our gate to honor the men who are serving us in the war,” said Gomez.

The ceremony was also intended for the local Army Reservists—many of whom are related to many teachers and students at the school—who recently left for training before a yearlong deployment to Iraq.

Just minutes after GES completed its ceremony, students at Kagman Elementary School paraded to the front of the school for their tribute.

The many banners filled with student artworks portraying various messages in the aftermath of 9/11, as well as a local artist Sam Joyner and his young drum team, highlighted the opening of their ceremony.

With flags raised at half-mast, each class took turn with presentations on how the attacks have affected many lives, how the world can change, and how the memory of the attacks will forever be part of their lives.

“We mourn with those who have suffered a great loss,” said school principal Ignacia Demapan. “Today, we pray for healing, we pray for strength, and we pray for courage and hope. Let’s trust in the Lord with all our hearts for this intention.”

The ceremony also featured recitation of poems, as well as the lighting of candles for all the victims by each class.

Like GES, the members of the school also held a moment of silence.