RV holds special observance of Sept. 11, 2001
River View High School Principal Chuck Rinkes speaks at the Friday, Sept. 9 ceremony observing the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America. Senior students attended the ceremony and gathered in a semi-circle around a flowering crab tree that was planted at the school to observe the 10th anniversary. Rinkes is pictured with Aselya Sposato, who organized the event and Jerry Green, a member of the Coshocton County Veterans Council Honor Guard.
River View student Audree Murray placed a bouquet of flowers at a flowering crab tree during a special observance held Friday morning, Sept. 9 for the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on America. The tree was planted in 2011 by the AP Government class to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on America.
WARSAW – Members of the River View High School senior class observed the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers, Pentagon and the crash in Pennsylvania during a special ceremony held outside the high school on Friday morning, Sept. 9. The students gathered in a semi-circle near a flowering crab tree that was planted by the AP Government class in 2011 to observe the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. The tree was donated by Cantwell Creek and a special plaque commemorates the tree.
River View High School Principal Chuck Rinkes gave remarks during the ceremony and a two man Honor Guard of Jerry Green and Tom Dile presented the colors for the event. A moment of silence was observed and the National Anthem was performed by Michael Belt, Jadyn Cline, DJ Esselburn, Grant Cullison, Sam Mercer, Sydney Minton and Britney Rodriguez, members of the Chamber Choir.
Rinkes said, “Today we mark the 15th anniversary of a day that many of us will never forget. I can show you the exact spot in this building that I was standing when I heard of the 9-11 attacks. From that day forward our country, and the world, have never been the same.”
“As we gather this morning, let us remember the victims of the 9-11 attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Let us also remember the thousands of veterans who have sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedom as a result of those attacks. God Bless them and God Bless the United States of America.”
A bouquet of red, white and blue flowers was placed at the foot of the tree by Audree Murray.
In addition to being a solemn event to observe the 15th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, the leadership of the event is part of Aselya Sposato’s senior project, who wants to increase patriotism and citizenship in the school. Cindy Hemming is Sposato’s mentor for the project and was the instructor of the senior AP Government class when the tree was planted five years ago.
Following the event Sposato responded to the question about why she felt this was important, “I think in today’s country a lot of things are happening and some people aren’t proud of their country anymore. I think having a ceremony like this really wakes people up and makes them realize that it is important to have that patriotism.”
The students attending the event at River View were only toddlers when terrorists attacked America on Sept. 11, 2001. “Yes, many of the students were too young to remember that day but a lot of them still feel that it is important to honor Sept. 11, 2001 because it was such a tragic day in history. And while it was a tragic event it still gives us something to learn from. I think that’s how many people feel about it today.”
“I’m glad that it all went well and that River View was able to host something like this and I’m glad that I was able to do it.”
Category: Education
