Rembering 9/11

I'm sure that most of us can remember vividly where we were and what we were doing twelve years ago on this day, as a tragedy of unspeakable magnitude fell upon our nation at the hands of those who would do us harm. Belchertown High School marked this event this morning. Principal Christine Vigneux's remarks were eloquently spoken and so, with her permission, I share them here:

Good morning. Today we at BHS remember, as we have every year, the events of September 11, 2001 as they unfolded in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. We remember with grief and sadness the lives lost and changed forever. We remember with pride, gratitude, and admiration those who acted so selflessly on behalf of others, in many cases, perfect strangers. We remember the difficult days immediately thereafter made a bit easier by the outpouring of patriotism and generosity that swept across our country. And, sadly, we also remember that 9/11/2001 was neither the first tragic day for our republic, nor the last. Whether it is the lives lost at the attacks on Pearl Harbor, or the Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City, or the bombings at this past April's Boston Marathon, there will always be those who seek to undo the American way of life. And sometimes we may wonder what we can do in the face of such evil. Today, I suggest we consider this: let us carry on in doing what we do...teaching, learning, thinking, living, and loving...continuing to do all the everyday things that so many heroes of 9/11 did: got up, went to work, lived their lives. After all, this day is about them...not us. As President Lincoln said at Gettysburg: "We cannot dedicate...we cannot consecrate...we cannot hallow this ground. The brave [men], living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced."

So let us remember the heroes of 9/11 by pausing to reflect and then carrying on the daily routines of life to which they were so committed. That indeed may be the highest tribute any of us can pay to them. With that, I ask that we now all observe a moment of silence to remember all those who lost their lives or loved ones 12 years ago today. Thank you for your attention this morning.

Thank you, Mrs. Vigneux, for taking the time to observe this moment and for your inspiration that we all attend to the hope of the future - our children - in honor of those who lost so much that day. As I look into their faces when I am in our schools, I am always full of hope for the promise of the future that is in their hands and ours, who work to keep that hope alive.

If you meet an emergency responder or military service person/veteran today - please be sure to thank him or her for the work they do every day to ensure our town, state, and nation remain safe and free from those who would choose to bind us in the tyranny of fear. This is a day of sadness for them as they, too, remember the lives of colleagues lost on this day twelve years ago.

As always, if you have any questions or comments about this blog, feel free to call me at 413.323.0423 or email me: superintendent@belchertown.org.

Best regards, Dr. Judith Houle, Superintendent of Schools