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Everyone stood up when the JROTC Honor Guard came in. Cumberland students held up one hand to block the Wednesday morning sun, with the other holding their own miniature American flags. It was a time to pay tribute, remembering 9/11 as the district has done every year. These Cumberland County students weren’t even born when 9/11 happened, so to some, Sept. 11, 2001 is just a date. The goal here, with the district’s annual memorial, is to fix that. 

“It is our hope that through this program, we are reminded of the significance of that day and educate those born after that day about its significance,” said Cumberland High Principal Missy Shores. The high school played host to Wednesday morning’s event. Shores added that programs like this one, originally started at Cumberland Elementary by former principal Ginny Gills, are important. 

“Programs like this reiterate the unity of our communities and foster engagement of our youth in the remembrance of 9/11,” Shores said. “By creating and keeping these traditions, we aim to preserve the memory of 9/11 and ensure that future generations understand its impact on the world.” 

And students wanted to do just that, with some of the younger ones in the audience asking questions about what certain words meant and the why behind the need for a tribute. School district staff explained clearly what had happened and that Cumberland stood as one community.

Remembering 9/11 through merged program  

While the school district has held a tribute for several years, this marked the first time the event had served as the county’s ceremony as well. Members of the sheriff’s office, firefighters, EMS and others came to take part in a solemn moment. 

“For years, Cumberland County has honored the memory of those lost on 9/11 with a heartfelt remembrance, a tradition started at our elementary school under the leadership of retired Principal Ginny Gills,” said Cumberland Superintendent Chip Jones. “This year, in the spirit of unity and reflection, we are proud to combine our school’s remembrance with the county-wide ceremony.” 

The ceremony was meant to honor all of those who lost their lives in the 9/11 tragedy. That goes for all those on board American Airlines Flight 11, which crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York at 8:46 a.m. They also remembered those on board United Airlines Flight 175, which crashed into the South Tower of the Center at 9:03 a.m. And they paid tribute to those on American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. and United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed into a field in Pennsylvania, as passengers attempted to overpower the hijackers.
Together, we stand as one community,” Jones said, “ensuring that the lessons of courage, resilience, and service continue to inspire future generations.”