Eastport-South Manor Honors 9/11 Heroes

Eastport-South Manor Central School District marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with a districtwide Patriots’ Day initiative honoring the victims, first responders and everyday heroes whose courage emerged from one of America’s darkest days.

Centered on the theme “Unexpected Heroes,” activities across the district taught students about the history of 9/11 while emphasizing courage, compassion, service and unity.

At South Street and Tuttle Avenue schools, students in kindergarten through second grade honored “four-legged heroes” by collecting supplies for Paws of War, a nonprofit that rescues and trains service dogs for veterans and first responders.

Students at Dayton Avenue and Eastport elementary schools wrote thank-you letters to firefighters and EMS workers with the Manorville and Eastport volunteer fire departments. Students also contributed to thought boards answering the question, “How can we be unexpected heroes?” Their responses focused on kindness, leadership and helping others.

Eastport Elementary families and staff were also invited to purchase American flags displayed in front of the school, with proceeds benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

At Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School, students participated in remembrance and service activities throughout the day. Students in grades 9-12 attended an assembly featuring guest speaker Rob Weisberg, who shared personal accounts related to 9/11 and heroism. The presentation was livestreamed to seventh and eighth grade classrooms.

Later, students and staff took part in a 9/11 Memorial Stair Challenge, paying tribute to first responders who climbed the World Trade Center towers in desperate efforts to save lives.

Twenty-five years after the attacks, the district’s observance sought to ensure a new generation understands not only what happened on Sept. 11, 2001, but also remembers the courage, sacrifice and unity that followed.