Eugene Field students celebrate Patriot Day

Eugene Field Elementary School students celebrated Patriot Day Tuesday. Mexico Public Safety Officers and military personnel came to the school to talk to them about patrotism and its meaning. School Resource Officer Russell Sing introduced Mexico Public Safety Chief Susan Rockett, Kevin Patrick, Richard Ingram and Robert Grindstaff. Patrick, Ingram and Grindstaff explained to the children what patriotism means to them, telling the students they should be proud to live in America and should show their patrotism to their country. After the speeches, a group of fifth grade students read patriotic essays they had written and sang a touching rendition of "God Bless America." After the song, Christine Harper, school principal expressed her feelings – and maybe everyone's in the room – when she said, "Awesome, you gave me goosebumps."Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, in memory of the 2,977 killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington DC and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, is held each year on Sept. 11.

On this day, the U.S. President requests the American flag be flown at half-staff at individual American homes, at the White House, and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments, in the U.S. and abroad. The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. (EDT), the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On Sept. 11, 2001, four planes were hijacked. The terrorists then deliberately flew three of the planes into the Pentagon in Washington DC and the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York. Both towers collapsed within two hours. The fourth plane crashed into a field near Shanksville. The attack is the worst act of terrorism ever on U.S. soil.

Crowds gathered Tuesday at the World Trade Center site in New York, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania memorial to mourn and remember the victims.

No elected officials spoke at New York's 3 1/2-hour ceremony. President Barack Obama layed a wreath at the Pentagon ceremony and Vice President Joe Biden remembered the 40 victims of the plane that crashed in a field south of Pittsburgh, saying 11 years haven't diminished memories.