Lake Denoon Middle School Remembers 9/11

Lake Denoon Middle School commemorated the anniversary of 9/11 on Friday in a brief, but meaningful ceremony.

Gathered around the base of the flagpole under overcast skies, the students heard from School Resource Officer Eric Nowicki, who read a poem called "The Day the Sky Stood Still" as well as from Lisa Alberte, an RN who assists brain injured patients at Acres of Hope and Inspiration.

Alberte brought two veterans, Winlom Woods and Dave Halula, who were injured; Woods was shot in the head in Iraq, and Halula, a Muskego High School grad, was injured in a car accident just a week before his deployment.  She told the kids that the men were a living testament to the continuing impact that 9/11 has for many.

"This day changed many lives significantly, not just the names on the flag, but for those who went to serve to make your lives better, those who stood up for you and for all of us," Alberte said.

A 'flag of honor' with each of the nearly 3,000 names of victims who died in the attacks on 9/11 printed on it was raised and students from the 8th grade choir sang "Proud to be an American," and "Taps" was also played by LDMS students.

Alberte also reminded the students of their own part in being patriots with a quote from Theodore Roosevelt.

"'The credit belongs to the man who actually stays in the arena...who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.'"

She urged the children to remember they are future leaders and their decisions should always involve choices made with integrity.