Across Wood County Schools, students, staff and community members gathered to remember the lives lost and the heroes who responded during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as the nation marks the 25th anniversary of that tragic day.
At Parkersburg High School, students and guests gathered for a special ceremony honoring the victims, first responders and the many Americans whose lives were forever changed by the events of September 11.
The ceremony brought together local, state and school leaders, family members of a Wood County connection to the attacks, teachers and students, and first responders.
Among those in attendance were West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey; West Virginia Sen. Mike Azinger; West Virginia Delegate Bill Anderson; Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce; Vienna Mayor Chad Emrick; Wood County Schools Superintendent Christie Willis; Assistant Superintendent of Academics & Leadership Jeff Kisner; Parkersburg High School Principal Jason Potts; and PHS Student Council President Anabelle Schmidt.
Also in attendance were Liza Adams, mother of Mary Lou Hague, and Hague's sister, Cindy Bullock. Hague, a Parkersburg High School graduate, was among those who lost her life in the September 11 attacks.
Bullock gave a moving testimony about her sister, sharing memories of who Mary Lou was, the dreams she had for her life and how much she loved living and working in New York City.
She spoke of a sister who followed her dreams and was building a life in a city she loved. Through her memories, Mary Lou was remembered not simply as one of the many names associated with September 11, but as an individual with hopes, ambitions, relationships and a life that mattered deeply to those who knew her.
Bullock's testimony gave students an opportunity to hear the history of September 11 through the eyes of someone who personally experienced its devastating impact on her family.
Governor Morrisey reflected on the unity Americans experienced following the attacks, reminding those gathered of a time in our history when the nation was not so divided. The attacks, he said, brought Americans together.
For students, remembering September 11 is about more than learning a date in a history book. It is about understanding the people and stories behind the events and considering how future generations can carry forward the lessons of that day.
Schmidt, the PHS Student Council President, provided a history of the September 11 attacks and spoke about why it is important for young people to understand and remember what happened. She also encouraged students to consider how they can honor the victims through the way they live their own lives.
The ceremony included performances of the National Anthem and the Parkersburg High School Alma Mater by the PHS A Cappella Choir under the direction of Joshua Dubs.
Members of the PHS NJROTC also participated in the commemoration, while numerous local first responders attended to help honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who answered the call for help.
Parkersburg High School was not the only Wood County school to mark the anniversary. Jackson Middle School also held a 9/11 remembrance, providing students with an opportunity to learn about the attacks, reflect on the lives lost and recognize the courage and service demonstrated by first responders.
Throughout Wood County Schools, these commemorations serve an important purpose: ensuring that students who were not yet born when September 11, 2001, occurred have an opportunity to understand its history and the lasting impact it had on families, communities and the nation.
Twenty-five years later, the ceremonies also provide an opportunity to remember the importance of compassion, service and unity.
The anniversary is ultimately about remembering people — the lives lost, the families who were changed forever, the first responders who ran toward danger and the countless individuals who demonstrated courage and kindness in the days that followed.
For Wood County Schools, teaching the history of September 11 is also about making sure the stories of those who were lost are not forgotten. Mary Lou Hague's story, shared by her sister, is a reminder that behind every name was a person with dreams, a family who loved them and a life they were living.
As students and communities remember 25 years later, those stories continue to give meaning to the words: We remember.