Ribbons of 9/11 Remembrance Pay Homage at Local School

At Nelson Elementary on September 11, four ribbons were tied, one on each tree, by members of the school community paying homage to the people who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and for the troops in the 11 years since who have been at war as a result.

"Our first year we opened we held this ceremony," said guidance counselor Jenny Watson. Now, in the school's 10th year — and for the 11th anniversary of the 2011 terrorist attacks — the school community gathered again to surround the field outside the back office doors, in view of four large trees, to remember September 11, 2001.

"Even though the kids here are to young to remember, their teachers and their parents do," Watson said. "And we do discuss 9/11 in the social studies curriculum."

The ceremony opened with a presentation of the colors by members of the Durant High School colorguard, some of whom were elementary school students at Nelson, Watson said.

Ribbons colored red, blue, white and yellow were tied on one tree each, with each tree representing one of the four areas struck: the south and north towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.

"The red ribbon symbolized the blood that was shed," Watson said. "We talked about people who sacrificed their lives." A deputy from the the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, representing first responders, tied the ribbon on the tree.

"The blue ribbon represented patriotism," Watson said. Third-grade teacher Olga Perez, with boy scouts by her side, tied the ribbon on the tree. At the time of the attacks, her husband, now retired, served in the Air Force.

"The white ribbon represented innocence," Watson said. Third-grade teacher Sharon Carlos tied the ribbon; at her side, students whose fathers are serving in Kabul, Afghanistan with the U.S. Army. Carlos' husband recently retired from the U.S. Navy; her son is a student at the United States Naval Academy.

"The yellow ribbon is for the troops still serving," said Watson. The ribbon was hung by representatives of the Schweizer family, a mother and three children. Her husband, their father, serves in Afghanistan.

"We utilized our families, our school community here today, to recognize our troops and first responders," Watson said, "to let them know we do remember and we will support them."

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REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11 (From History.com)

On September 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four airliners and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two of the planes were flown into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Often referred to as 9/11, the attacks resulted in extensive death and destruction, triggering major U.S. initiatives to combat terrorism and defining the presidency of George W. Bush. Over 3,000 people were killed during the attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., including more than 400 police officers and firefighters.

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