Remembering those we lost on 9/11

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) –It’s been more than two decades since planes crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 people.

Rapid City Area Schools hosted a Patriot Day celebration and remembrance at Corral Drive Elementary School this morning.

Firefighters, Police, Wildland Fire, National Guard and more came together to remember 9/11.

“It’s been a whole team effort with all of our staff and our students just wanted to celebrate Patriot Day together. To remember what this day is all about, and a chance to thank all of our first responders,” Corral Drive Principal Drew Foley said.

Corral Drive Elementary has been participating in this day of remembrance for more than a decade.

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“This is an awesome experience. We’ve done this for a number of years. It’s always enjoyable to come out and see the kids, see the patriotism that happens here at Corral Drive,” Division Chief Brian Povandra said.

None of these students were alive during these tragic events, but it’s important for them to know what happened.

“They just have to learn from what they read or what they’re told. So we want to make sure that they don’t ever forget that this is a very important day in history. And a day to celebrate but also remember the things of that tragic day so that they don’t forget and they understand the significance,” Foley said.

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“It’s great to remember the lives lost that day but also remember the lives lost after that day both fighting for the country after that and the illnesses that happened to the firefighters and first responders for responding that day,” Povandra said.

Fire trucks carry that memory with the number 343 on the back of their first responder vehicles to remember each life lost in this tragic event.

Each year a select number of schools participate in events like the one held at Corral Drive today.