Schools across San Jacinto Valley celebrate and honor victims of 9/11 terrorist attacks
HEMET — Every September, as the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks rolls around, we are brought back to the horrors of that terrible morning 17 years ago; when two planes hit the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and two other planes were hijacked – with one hitting the Pentagon in Virginia, and the other crashing down into a Pennsylvania field.
The coordinated terrorist attacks snuffed out the lives of nearly 3,000 victims, including more than 400 police officers, firefighters, and other emergency personnel, attempting to save those in the Twin Towers in New York City.
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Although the majority of students in the San Jacinto Valley were not alive on that horrific day when the attacks took place, every year students and staff throughout the valley take time to commemorate those who lost their lives and thank first responders, military personnel, and the many others for the innumerable sacrifices they have made for our country.
Hundreds of students, local dignitaries, and representatives from all branches of the US military attended this year’s 9/11 memorial events throughout the San Jacinto Valley. Hemet Unified School District photo
This year in Hemet, West Valley High School’s JROTC program, choir, and band, held a special performance before school began.
The band played the National Anthem and the choir sang as JROTC cadets raised the American Flag and then lowered it to half-staff.
City of Hemet Police and Fire Departments came to show their respect and stand with students, staff, and community members, as they then joined together in a moment of silence.
A few short miles away, Dartmouth Middle School hosted its fourth annual “9/11 Remembrance” event, during which nearly 70 servicemen and women, along with City of Hemet dignitaries, local Police and Fire personnel, Riverside County sheriff’s deputies, American Medical Response medics, as well as service members representing Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force, National Guard were in attendance.
Hemet High’s JROTC cadets presented the colors and Dartmouth’s choir sang a variety of patriotic songs. Then, just as the band was finishing the National Anthem, two World War II planes from the March Air Force Base flew over the school’s campus.
After the performances, dignitaries, first responders, and military personnel and veterans, gathered for a breakfast provided by Dartmouth staff.
In neighboring San Jacinto, students at San Jacinto High School held their 10th annual 9/11 commemoration event.
During this year’s commemoration event, hundreds of students gathered in the quad before classes began for the day and the school’s nearly 200 Air Force JROTC cadets lined up in formation for the Pledge of Allegiance.
With music provided by the San Jacinto High School’s band, the school’s choir then sang the National Anthem and posted the colors before laying a wreath in remembrance of the 9/11 victims.
After this year’s memorial events, Hemet and San Jacinto Unified School District officials took the time to thank all area first responders, active duty military personnel and veterans, and others, for their service to our community and country, as well as all those involved in this year’s remembrance events, saying, “We appreciate all that you do!”
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Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.