On the morning of Sept. 11, a mass of students and staff members gathered  just inside the Stadium gates along with the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) members.

AFJROTC prepares the special memorial service to honor and remember those who lost their lives 11 years ago in the attack on the World Trade Center.

When asked what motivated him to organize this service, Colonel Mike Berenc, AFJROTC teacher, said, “Motivation is simple: To recognize those individuals who unknowingly gave their lives for their country that day and to realize that their loss of their life wasn’t in vain.”

Assistant Principal Tim Jones spoke about the multitude of people who have lost their lives fighting for our country since that day. Five of those students were from the Rockwood School District.

Also at the memorial service were active duty members of the Marine Corps and the Army.

“They symbolize those who are on the front lines fighting while we get to enjoy the goodness of life in America,” Berenc said.

Tyler Williams, senior, attended the service and said, “I thought that it was a respectable service. They did a good job.”