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Back to school begins with…

A Ceremony of Remembrance

September 11, 2002

By Dr. Katherine A. Jankowski

(Editor's Note: Dr. Jankowski delivered the following message to the MSSD students during their commemoration of the events of 9/11.)

A year ago, America experienced a horrifying tragedy that impacted the lives of everyone. When we think about why this tragedy happened, we are at a loss for words.

We don't know all the answers, but we know that it happened because of hatred. In spite of that, we know America is strong and we will continue to be strong.

While this tragedy is something that we wish had never happened, let us learn from it.

Let the events of September 11 teach us the importance of respect. . . the importance of respecting yourself…the importance of respecting other people…and the importance of respecting our differences.

Let it teach us the importance of caring.

Let it teach us the importance of kindness.

Now is the time for us to honor others.

Let us honor the people who have lost their lives in this tragedy.

Let us honor their families and friends.

FDNY—Spirit at Ground Zero by Thomas Franklin

Let us honor the brave people who worked hard to get us through this tragedy.

Let us honor Mike Peterson and his family who are now in New York at this very

moment because he lost his brother-in-law, Norman Rossinow.

And most important of all, let us honor this ceremony by respecting other people, by caring about them, and by showing kindness to everyone.

Let each of us reach out and show that we care.

Let each of us work together to make this world a better place for all of us.