By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
The Greater Houlton Christian Academy held a ceremony to honor victims of the Sept. 11 on Sept. 9 on the school grounds.
After an opening prayer by Headmaster John Bishop, three poems from sixth-grade students were read in remembrance of the horrific event.
Four planes, four destinations
Pentagon, Towers, a field
Destruction and sorrow
A race to escape
Fire, ashes, smoke
Sacrifice.
With sadness came prayer
Among the fear there were heroes
A memorial is placed where heroes once stood
And a country stands to remember those heroes.
— Written by Olivia Winslow
Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
TREE PLANTING — Wesley Ganglfinger (front) and Ben Gould tucked dirt around a small tree, which stands for hope.
The brave men and women who fought to save people like you and me
Gave their lives to save us and make us free
I wonder if they worried of bruises or pain
Or even giving their lives away?
Did they think about how easily they could die
Or did they do it with courage inside
We should thank them for their courage, bruises and pain
We should also thank the family of those who lost their lives
With all the sorrow they had praying and praying
That they won’t be too sad
— Written by Grace Graham
Thank you to all the firefighters that risked their lives to try to save the people in the Twin Towers
You knew that you could die trying to save other people’s lives
I don’t think I could have ever done that
Especially, the firefighters who died that day trying to save people
We all probably want to be a free country, but without you people that would never happen
So, thank you for all you do
— Written by Alex Stanley
Houlton Pioneer Times photos/Gloria Austin
REMEMBERING — Skyler Campbell-McCarthy, right, and Kalle Williams hold flags.
After the poems, GHCA student Abby Angotti offered another prayer and a time of silence was observed as GHCA students Wesley Ganglfinger and Ben Gould tucked dirt around a small tree, which stands for hope.
“Bury the roots, we do not forget, but remember those who gave themselves,” said Tom Zimmerman, assistant principal. “Though the Twin Towers no longer stand, we remember. Flight 93 no longer takes to the air, we remember. The Pentagon is not the same, we remember.
“We remember America’s roots tested, remain secure and stronger,” he said. “We remember America’s vibrancy ever green with life and we remember, America’s redemption as this young tree points Heavenward.”
The tree of hope was planted near the flag pole at GHCA in remembrance of the victims and heroes of 10 years ago — Sept. 11, 2001.
Pastor Rick Carver then closed the observance with prayer.
Drew Warman, left, and Sadie Thompson hold up pictures they drew as part of a Sept. 11 rememberance ceremony.
