For 23 years, we’ve reminded ourselves to “never forget” the innocent victims and the fallen heroes of September 11th. At Exeter Township Senior High, we’ve held tightly onto that promise each year with a moving and patriotic school ceremony meant to honor a local first responder; pay homage to the police, fire and EMS workers who protect our schools and our community; and to remind our students about the terrible events on that tragic day years before they were born.
“Your parents, teachers and myself know exactly where we were when we heard the news that morning,” said Assistant Principal Mr. Frank Vecchio.“ In that moment for me and many other Americans, time stood still. The days that unfolded after that were filled with uncertainty. As a nation we grieved; and as tragedy often does, it brought us closer together as a nation.”
While the annual ceremony is marked by difficult memories as well as a moment of silence to honor those who perished in the terrorist attacks that fateful day, it is also a time to honor local emergency responders and members of the military, which state Senator Judy Schwank highlighted in her remarks this morning. “On this day, we renew our commitment to support all of the men and women who serve our community and nation as emergency responders and members of the armed forces,” she said. “For your sacrifice, we thank you. No words can do justice for just how grateful we are for your service.”
With that, Exeter Township Detective Sergeant Rocco DeCamillo then presented Exeter Township Police Officer Frank Santiago with a flag to honor his service as a first responder and a former member of the Marines, where he served all over the world, including in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Officer Santiago was in 9th grade on 9/11, and the tragic events of that day propelled him to join the Marines after his graduation from Reading High, and then work in law enforcement after he returned home to complete college. “After 9/11, I felt like I had to do my duty for my country,” he said, remembering the days that followed that tragedy as being filled with a collective patriotism that forever called upon his conscience to serve both his country and community.
“Today we take the time to honor first responders and soldiers who made great sacrifices on 9/11 and every day since then,” said Mr. Vecchio, speaking to high school students who were born well after the terrorist attack. “We bring you together today because they deserve that we take the time to learn to understand and reflect on their sacrifice. Thank you for coming together as a community to do just that.”