For the sixth year, Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Technical High School held a memorial tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attack. This year’s particularly moving ceremony was organized by Ms. Sandi Jameson, science instructor and Ms. Kristen Sansoucy, music instructor.  There were many distinguished guests, including members of the Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Boland, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Burnside, Captain Jeffrey LaPierre and Specialist Kristen Sansoucy. Other participants included; CT State Trooper and Grasso SRO Meg Smith, former Marine and Grasso alumni Sergeant Michael Lewis, and representatives from Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department.

The ceremony began with Col. Boland’s inspirational opening remarks.  Capt. LaPierre presented our national colors to Sgt. Lewis who raised the colors to half-mast with Lt. Col. Burnside.  Our national anthem was sung by Mrs. Erica Manning, an English teacher here at Grasso, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Each member of the student body, faculty members and staff were given small American flags totaling 2996. Each flag was a symbol of one of the 2996 victims of the 9/11 attack. While “America the Beautiful” played in the background, the freshman class and their instructors placed their flags around the flagpole.  Next, Mr. David Ogden, guidance counselor, introduced a poem that his father, poet Hugh Ogden, had written before he passed away about the tragedy, “Northwest Maine, September 2001”.

The ceremony continued with tenth grade students placing their flags during the song “Have You Forgotten” by Darryl Worley.  During Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American,” the junior class placed their flags into the ground. The seniors followed during the playing of “Taps” by Grasso’s Elijah Baatz on trombone, a member of the freshman class.   The last group to place their flags in the ground was our distinguished guests. Col. Boland and Principal Kerry Bell gave closing remarks addressing the importance of remembering each fallen hero and the significance of this moving tribute.