Visitors To Bernon Heights Teach Lessons Of 9/11

Over the past weekend, students at Bernon Heights Elementary were busy doing good deeds and performing simple acts of kindness to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the terrorist acts which took place on September 11, 2001. While the tragic events happened before most of these students were born, the teachers and support staff at Bernon Heights have taken this opportunity to teach the students about the importance of coming together to help others on a daily basis as well as in times of need, just as the nation did in the hours, days and weeks after the attacks on 9/11.

This Tuesday, September 13, as part of this ongoing effort, the 4th and 5th grade students at were treated to a special visit from retired Major General Reginald Centracchio, former Adjutant General of the Rhode Island National Guard, as well as Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas Carey and Woonsocket Fire Chief Gary Lataille.

This special event, organized in part by Principal George Nasuti and Bernon Heights Music Instructor Gordon Davignon, began Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. as members of the Woonsocket High School Color Guard led students and faculty in the Pledge of Allegiance. Jacob Chippo, Woonsocket High School student and former music student of Davignon's, treated students to a solo performance of the Star Spangled Banner.

Chief Thomas Carey, the first to speak, explained how he felt as a child when police would visit his grade school, saying what an honor it was for him to be able to do the same for the students at Bernon Heights.

Carey explained the massive responsibility he and millions of other men and women have as first responders. "The goal for all first responders is to help people" he explained. "Unfortunately, as on 9/11, a lot of first responders will lose their lives helping others."

The next guest to speak was Fire Chief Gary Lataille, who gently explained to the kids that although 9/11 was historic and everyone will always remember the large scale event, first responders also work to help citizens on a daily basis; from helping during tropical storms, to responding to car accidents. Lataille also shared a simple message with the children. "Inside each and everyone of you is a very special person who can do extraordinary things. It's all about the choices we make."

Finally, children cheered as the much anticipated guest of honor, Major General Reginald Centracchio, made his way to the forefront of the stage. Centracchio explained to the students what it means to be an American and the importance of the Constitution.

"Everyone of us has a responsibility to defend our Constitution" explained Centracchio. "We can defend our Constitution every day by being good citizens and doing good deeds."

Centracchio went on to speak about the tough and scary subject of terrorism. He told the children that no matter how hard they try, nobody can change who we are as a country and nobody can take the constitution away from us. In an effort to help the kids understand the motives behind a terrorist attack Centracchio used simple logic. "Terrorists attempt to destroy the USA because they think they can change us, and make us believe what they believe, but that will never happen."