Amelia Academy Remembers 9/11 Tragedy
2011, Sep 12 – Students, many of whom were not yet born in 2001, gathered for the Academy’s fourth annual “9/11 Never Forget” program. Faculty, Board members, special guests, and the community joined in the special commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Guest speakers were Lt. Col. Jon Hatfield and Lt. General Samuel V. Wilson, and G. Dakota Jenkins, an Amelia Academy alumnus and senior at Hampden-Sydney College.
Malinda Shanaberger, a teacher and Student Government Organization adviser, opened with a prayer. Jack O., president of the SGO, then led the program, which included the pledge of allegiance by the fourth-grade class. Individual students from the Lower School presented a message of patriotism and remembrance, including sixth-grader Regan H., whose family is from New York. She pledged never to forget Sept. 11, 2001, a date that changed her world forever. After a moment of silence to remember the victims, sophomore Sierra W. sang “Amazing Grace.”
Lt. Col Hatfield, executive director of the Virginia War Memorial, encouraged the audience to remember the victims of the 9/11 tragedy. He also emphasized that the students should learn about the world and prepare to become good citizens. In this way, they and all Americans can remain vigilant against any future threat to our security and freedom.
Lt. Gen. Wilson, a native of Rice, was introduced by Jenkins. He related the story of how Wilson walked seven miles to the local National Guard office to enlist in 1940. After 37 years of service to his country, Wilson covered those same seven miles to return home. In the interim, he served with distinction in World War II, Vietnam and the Cold War. His commands included Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Among many other assignments, he served as defense attaché in the Moscow embassy from 1971 to 1973.
Following his return to private life, Wilson was president of Hampden-Sydney College in the 1990s and also taught political science at the College.
In his remarks, Wilson spoke about the courageous action of one man, Todd Beamer, on September 11, 2001. Although one of many brave men and womenwho died on that day, Beamer has been especially remembered for his courage as a leader in overtaking the hijackers of United flight 93.
It is this kind of courage that Wilson believes we will need in the coming years to remain firm in our resolve against the ongoing threat of terrorism.Wilson also warned against complacency in the face of what Americans will face in combatting an enemy dedicated to our destruction.
The Academy’s “Never Forget” program is part of the annual remembrance sponsored by the Young America’s Foundation. This year, hundreds of colleges and schools across the nation held an observance to remember the 9/11 tragedy.
Remarking on the morning’s program, Academy headmaster, James D. Grizzard, said that he “appreciates the community joining our students in resolving never to forget 9/11. It is our hope that the program will continue to expand each year.”
Pictured from left to right: Casey V.-reporter, Mikayla B.-secretary, Holly S.-vice president, Jack O.-president, and Rickylyn C.-treasurer.