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South Jordan Journal

South Jordan Middle School community remember 9-11

Nov 11, 2019 04:41PM ● By Julie Slama

The South Jordan Middle School choir sings at the school’s salute to 9-11 victims and first responders. (Photo courtesy of South Jordan Middle School)

By Julie Slama | [email protected]

To many Americans, the mention of Sept. 11, 2001, brings back images of uncertainty ad fear.

South Jordan Middle School Principal Shawn McLeod remembers coming out of an assembly when he was Bingham High vice principal and seeing the images on the television in the school office. 

“After the assembly was over, the students went back to their classes, but most of them were watching it on TV,” he said. “It was inconceivable.”

But to middle school students, McLeod said they don’t have these memories as they were born after that day. However, many are well aware of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of these terrorist attacks.

To honor these people, South Jordan Middle School students, along with others in the South Jordan community, came together to observe Sept. 11, now known as Patriot Day.

“We have a flag-raising ceremony in front of our school at the flagpole and invite our first responders, our parents, our community, the mayor to join with our students in a patriotic tribute,” he said. “We want to pay tribute to these people who lost their lives in the tragic event and those who first responded, and we show our gratitude for those who serve and protect us every day.”

This year’s ceremony included a moment of silence as well as McLeod talking about the sacrifices made to keep the freedoms of the country. The 40-member choir sang the national anthem, “America the Beautiful” and “(America) My Country ’Tis of Thee,” before inviting everyone to join them in “God Bless America.”

“We’ve done it for eight or nine years now, with a couple hundred people encircling the flag before school,” he said. “It brings meaning, parents, teachers, kids, all our community, being here, honoring those people and singing together.”