Local students honor 9/11 victims

Wednesday, September 12, 2007
On Tuesday, Fort Scott Christian Heights junior and senior high school students commemorate the day, six years ago, when terrorists took over three American airliners and used them to attack the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., then failed to reach their third intended target when passengers fought back and gave their lives in the process. Nearly 3,000 people died as a result of those terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001, on America. Submitted photo

Fort Scott Christian Heights students promoted patriotism Tuesday as they waved our country's colors at motorists passing by them on South U.S. Highway 69.

FSCH junior and senior high school science teacher Larry Davolt recalled memories from about five years ago, he said. According to Davolt, about a year after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington D. C. and over Pennsylvania, his students wanted to show their support for our country. The students took part in a similar activity to the one that Davolt conducted on Tuesday. The activity from five years ago is what inspired Tuesday's event, Davolt said.

After reminding his students of the first patriotic activity five years ago, his class became excited. Davolt said that his students put the event together this year.

"After I brought it up, they just ran with it," he said.

About 30 students and four adults took part in the FSCH patriotic remembrance of 9/11, Davolt said. The activity was not a mandatory assignment. The students volunteered part of their lunch time to show their support for their country and the troops who are defending it, Davolt said.

The event participants lined up on both sides of South 69 Highway in front of Sekan and the old bowling alley, he said. The students held up handmade signs which stated "Honk for America," "Support our Troops" and "Remember 9-11." Those students who were not holding up a sign, waved American flags at motorists who were passing by, Davolt said.

Davolt said that motorists who drove by the scene of the event showed a lot of support.

"We had lots of response. Several semis drove by and laid on their horns," he said.

According to FSCH student Josh Schellack, there were about 389 honks for America during the 30 minute event.

Davolt said that he hopes this activity reminded people of the attacks on 9/11, and he also hopes that it helps to increase patriotism for those who passed by as well as those who took part in the event. He said that this was a good experience for his students.

"It was a way for them to give something," he said.