On a day of national reflection, students enrolled in the U.S. Navy JROTC program arrived early to remember the victims, heroes, and all those affected by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
“Those who brought hate to our shores did not expect our country to emerge stronger. In the years since, we have stood strong as one people,” said student commander Sydney Torres, reading from an address written for President Barack Obama.
The address also honored police officers, fire fighters, paramedics and all those who assisted the victims that day. The president also encouraged all Americans to find ways to serve their communities.
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Bulldog Company also remembered one of their own: Eric Lorenz, a 2012 graduate who died after a battle with cancer. Lorenz passed away last weekend.
JROTC instructor CDR (ret.) Doug Groters and student Patrick King unveiled a banner that read “Fair wins and following seas to our fellow cadet and friend,” a traditional saying among those in the U.S. Navy who go separate ways.
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“Eric was a sweet, hard working person who fought hard through his last days with us,” said Minerva Espindola in her address to Bulldog Company.
Espindola also shared some remarks from Eric’s brother, Alex.
“He was the best brother anyone could ask for. He was always a hard worker. He went to (college) and worked full time. He had a great attitude about everything,” Espindola said.
