Charger News

Cookeville High School remembers September 11

Cassandra Kimberly , Charger Staff

September 11 was a day of remembrance for all those who lost their lives to the evils of terrorism and for those who fought against it.

The police officers, the fire fighters, and the civilians all played roles in the battle against those who committed the ultimate crime and took the lives of innocent Americans.

On September 11, 2002, Cookeville High School honored and remembered the heroes and the victims with a special assembly including public officials such as the Putnam County School Board, Cookeville City Council, Putnam County Commissioners, Dr. Michael Martin and Central Office Staff, and Cookeville High’s own faculty and student body.

The program began somberly with a pledge to the American flag and the Cookeville High School chorus singing the National Anthem.

The presentation featured guest Peter Gunther who had served in the military for twenty-six years, worked for the New York City fire department for twenty-one years, and heroically left his family to go to Ground Zero and help aid in the largest rescue in history.

Gunther recalled the memories he carries with him from that life-changing day and gave Cookeville, Tennessee, a taste of the fear, the compassion, and the courage that surged through our modern-day heroes when they entered the burning buildings.

“Our fire fighters would never look the other way,” Gunther recalled.

We then acknowledged our local heroes from the Putnam County fire and police department, EMT services, and representatives from each branch of the military.

The ceremony also recognized the reflections of CHS students on Aug. 29, 2002, when we paused to remember our heroes by writing essays dealing with the issues of September 11.

The band ended the ceremony by playing “America the Beautiful,” accompanied by the chorus in hymn.

“We can never forget this time...ever,” stated Peter Gunther, “We have to stand united, be strong, and stand up because they cannot do that to us.”

Article prepared for web by Joy Wheeler