SEQUIM — More than 2,500 people sang, prayed and listened to inspirational messages during two ceremonies on the high school athletic field Tuesday commemorating the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Police officers, firefighters and other emergency services providers stood behind seated rows of America’s local war veterans during the two events.
At least 1,500 students from Sequim high and middle school stood on the football field as new principal Shawn Langston challenged them to be courageous and take on uncomfortable, but heroic roles.
“The real heroes are folks who served in wars, who serve us everyday, who made a conscious decision to go into a burning building even though they knew they probably wouldn’t come out,” Langston said. “You’re courageous when you’re afraid, but go anyway.”
During a lunchtime ceremony sponsored by the Sequim Ministerial Association, Mayor Walt Schubert said the terrorist attacks, though tragic, brought out America’s bright side.
“We all remember where we were and the hurt we feel for those who lost their lives,” Schubert said, noting the attack unified Americans.
“You see the flag flying everywhere,” Schubert said. “We’ve had a chance to see the best come out in all of us.”
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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.