Video: Saltus Remembers Alumni Lost On 9/11
[Updated with video] Thirteen years ago today [Sept 11], the 9/11 attacks took place, with hijackers intentionally crashing two planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.
Hijackers crashed a third flight, American Airlines Flight 77, into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, while a fourth jet, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to take control before it could reach the hijacker’s intended target in Washington, DC.
In all, nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks, including Bermudians and Saltus alumni.
Saltus students, staff, and alumni gathered this morning [Sept 11] to pay tribute to the lives lost in the 9/11 attacks, including those of their own alumni.
A Saltus spokesperson said, “We believe that it is vital that a school honours its past, and particularly remembers those who were a part of that past. Every year since the 9/11 disaster, the school has remembered the two alums who perished in that awful terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre Building: Boyd Gatton [class of 1980], and Robert Higley II [class of 1989].”
Bermudian Rhondelle Tankard, who had only been working in the World Trade Center for a few days when the attacks occurred, was also killed.
Claire Charlemagne, Head of School, said a few words to commemorate the occasion, while Deputy Head Jon Beard welcomed everyone. Head Boy Jake Fisher and Head Girl Nalani Dowling laid a wreath at the memorial Palm Tree, while SGY 2 student Calum Maule played Taps after the wreath was laid.
Deputy Head Boy Lawrence Gibbons, Deputy Head Boy Nick Pell, Deputy Head Girl Azari Thomas, Deputy Head Girl Ebony Clarke, and Deputy Head Girl Lara Hall were also present.
The Reverend Canon Ken Leonczyk, Jr, Minister at St. John’s Church, said the prayers at the service.
Some of Boyd Gatton’s classmates attended this morning’s ceremony, including Mike Bishop, Jay Correia, and Mark Orchard, all of the class of 1980.
In New York, the traditional roll call of the victims began at the World Trade Center site shortly after 8:46am this morning [Sept 11], the same time 13 years ago when the first plane hit the north tower. The roll call includes the names of the 2,983 victims of the 9/11 attacks at all three locations, as well as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing that killed six people.
Thank you Saltus. It is important to remember your own who passed in that horrible terrorist attack as well as others. 9-11 is a day no one should forget.
May I also say what a nice group of young people.