While the courtyard at Coral Shores High School was surrounded by 2,977 small American flags, the students and staff stood silently in honor of the same number of people who died on the morning of September 11, 2001.
During a brief remembrance ceremony Thursday morning, they recited the Pledge of Allegiance and heard a few words from leadership and student activities teacher Joe Szymanski reminding them of the importance of the day.
Hulber Gagliardini played taps on his trumpet along with a drum roll from the high school band.
Wilmarie Lopez, a counselor in the Upper Keys employed by the Guidance/Care Center, is one of the organizers.
“This is the second year we have held this ceremony. Students placed the flags around the courtyard and provided words of thanks posted on the wall for the first responders in the community,” she said.
“Last year, students from the leadership classes wrote the name and birthdate of one victim on each flag,” said Principal Laura Lietaert. “It really hit them when they realized that some were babies and children when they died.”
The ceremony was short. Just a few minutes. But, as Islamorada Fire Chief Terry Abel said, “We wear it on our uniform: Never Forget.”
Ceremonies commemorating 9/11 were also held at Ocean Reef, Key Largo School, Key Largo Fire Museum and the Monroe County Fire Rescue stations in the Florida Keys.
