Monday, September 10, 2012

We Remember...

We all remember.  I do.  The first collision.  Was it a tragic accident?  Then the second.  There was no longer any doubt.  We were under attack.  My first year as principal of GKMS.  Trying to balance parent concerns with student needs.  Getting flashes and bits and pieces of news.  Staff playing a solid, calming role on that day and the days that followed.

We remember.  Our students do not.  Our role now is to teach appropriately for student age levels be it 2nd or 8th grade.  To share the sadness and pride and unity we felt as a nation.   That period in time when we all shared the true feeling of patriotism.  No dogmatic slogans, no esoteric political bickering, no "my flag is bigger than yours."

For that period of time, we truly were united as patriots.  Patriot Day is a responsibility to remember. To teach. To share.  To honor.  To ensure our kids learn.  To ensure that we never forget.

Our students singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee" also known as "America" in the front foyer: