Photo by Crystal Reed
Senior Lilly Graham and Junior Lane Richardson sing during the Patriot Day Assembly held on Friday, September 10 at Sullivan High School.

•September 15, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Sullivan High School marked the 20th anniversary of the September 11,2001 terrorist attacks last Friday with a Patriot Day assembly. The program began with the “Star Spangled Banner” being played by the school band. There was news footage played with narration and video of the towers falling. Local first responders and veterans and active military personnel were honored then by having them stand and receive applause. They also had those who have relatives who are first responders or member of the military stand to receive applause as well. The junior Lane Richardson and senior Lilly Graham sang “My Country Tis Of Thee.”
High School Principal Daniel Allen then addressed those in attendance. He said that September 11,2001 was during his first month of teaching. “In times of adversity you get opportunity or you become a victim,” he said “you can be part of the solution or admit defeat.” He said that after the events of that day students were coming up to him asking how they could help the victims of the attacks.
“Freedom comes with a great amount of responsibility,” he said “if we are not responsible with it freedom is going to be lost.” He encouraged those in attendance to work to help others and not just themselves. He said that he wanted those in attendance to remember the sacrifices that have been made for them.
Also speaking was Annie McClellan, who was a freshman in high school on 9-11. She noted that 2,977 lives were lost that day. “2,977 is more than a number,” she said “it’s sisters and brothers and fathers and mothers and children.”     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.