Shepard remembers victims, first responders on 9/11

Despite the rain and gloom of the day, staff members and students from Shepard High School gathered this morning for a socially-distanced remembrance of 9/11.

U.S. Air Force JROTC instructors Major (ret.) Dan Johnson and MSGT (ret.) Chris Saberniak organized a poignant ceremony that also served as lesson in history: None of their students had been born when the terrorist attacks happened.

The JROTC colorguard brought students to attention to start the ceremony. As trumpet players from the Shepard marching band performed ‘Taps,’ JROTC students lowered the American flag to half-staff while classmates saluted.

Students Nick Bucio, Kiana Gonzalez, Julia Sinisi and Chanel Talbott then took turns reading the presidential proclamation declaring September 11 as Patriot Day.