Rockwood Schools Commemorate 25th Anniversary of 9/11 on Patriot Day

Thursday, Sept. 11, is the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and communities in the Rockwood School District marked the occasion by holding events to recognize and thank servicemembers and first responders.

Lafayette High students, staff and community members joined servicemembers and first responders for the school's annual Patriot Day Remembrance ceremony in the morning before school started, including a presentation of colors by the the school's Missouri 81st Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) and a performance by the Vox Solus choir and a Lancer Regiment marching band bugler.

Col. Rob Jakcsy, senior aerospace science instructor and AFJROTC adviser at Lafayette, shared some remarks during the ceremony, and all servicemembers, first responders and family members in attendance were invited into the school for breakfast at the event's conclusion.

Students also created a display of miniature American flags in a pattern recognizing the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

At Westridge and Woerther elementary schools, students and staff members cheered on Metro West Fire Protection District engines and representatives from other local first responder departments as they drove through the parking lot at the school.

At Marquette High, more than 200 students and staff members partnered with Monarch Fire Protection District to climb the nearly 2,100 steps at the Marquette football stadium, honoring the lives lost that day. Assistant Principal Dr. Kyle Devine also wore firefighters' gear and walked alongside Monarch first responders.

We value our continued partnership with our community first responders, and we would like to thank them for helping keep our schools safe, welcoming places for all.