This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Over 1,500 Medfield Students, Faculty Gather to Remember 9/11

Medfield High School and Blake Middle School students participated in a joint assembly Friday to remember 9/11 and learn of the strength of community.

At 9:02 a.m. Friday, with an overcast sky – unlike the clear blue sky in 2001, over 1,500 students, teachers and administrators from both and joined together on the Calvin George Fischer Memorial Football field to remember the events of 9/11, to honor those who served and died and to learn about the importance of community since that tragic day, 10 years ago.

Medfield High School principal Robert Parga opened the program. He spoke about how today's senior students were in second grade in 2001 and some of the sixth graders were only a year old. He spoke of how the world has changed since that day and the fact that most of these children have experienced 9/11 through documentaries.  

"Almost everything, for them, is post 9/11," said Parga.

Find out what's happening in Medfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Parga then introduced Rob Zappulla, MHS Student Council President, who led everyone in saying the Pledge of Allegiance, which was followed by a moment of silence. Nat Vaughn, Blake Middle School principal, spoke next and reminded everyone via Congress, 9/11 is now "Patriot Day," a day to honor those who risk their lives and in 2009, 9/11 was also made a National Day of Service and Remembrance. 

Vaughn expressed this assembly was not to focus just on remembering Sept. 11, but also to understand the importance of community and what lessons were learned by the outpouring of people coming together to help others following 9/11.

Find out what's happening in Medfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The American Legion Honor guards, Leonard Haigh and Richard Poli, represented the colors during the National Anthem, which was played by the MHS Band, led by music director, Doug Olsen. Also in attendance were Medfield Fire Chief Bill Kingsbury, firefighters Richard Rogers and Mike Harmon as well as Police Chief Robert Meaney and officer Michelle Bento.

Former Medfield High School Social Studies teacher and Town Historian, Richard DeSorgher, was introduced next. He spoke about how the world has changed since 9/11 and the importance of education in a post 9/11 world.

On Sept. 11, 2001, DeSorgher was teaching a political science class comprised of senior students. He recalled a knock on his door from a student in Gary Stockbridge's class telling him to put on the television set. His class watched the second plane hit the second tower. 

"We were living in a piece of terrifying history," DeSorgher said. "The students knew they were witnessing a most horrifying event." Once he left school on that September day, he lowered the flag at the Peak House and put up an American flag at his home.

Speaking to the hundreds of students on this September morning, he explained how their "normal" is so different from what his was. 

"Normal is being searched at airports," DeSorgher said. "Normal is being searched at public buildings."

And he went on to say that "normal" since the Patriot Act means the books you take out of othe public library or the websites you go on in your own time are no longer private. 

"We have lost some of our freedoms to do what you want to do and go where you want to go," DeSorgher said.

Furthermore, Desorgher spoke about how the events on 9/11 and the "many Americans that chose dollars over the flag" have put this country in dire straits. He spoke of how today's college graduates are not only competing with other graduates here in the United States, they are competing with the "best and brightest" around the world.  He challenged the students by asking "what will you do to respond?"

DeSorgher encouraged these students to make good choices. He suggested they spend time volunteerng at the , saying "you have the ability to make a difference in peoples' lives." 

He praised the Medfield School system and spoke of the high quality of education and the need for good teachers. He also stressed the importance of hard work and dedication to studies.

DeSorgher went on to say "the future of our country depends on it.  You have the ability to compete in a post 9/11 world and get this country out of the mess my generation got us in." 

Even with the challenges our world now faces and all the struggles these students will encounter, DeSorgher reminded those in attendance that America prevailed over terrorism. 

"They did not win!" He exclaimed to a standing ovation. 

The program concluded with taps being played by MHS senior Grace Murray and Blake student Abigail Darmofal, and then echoed by MHS senior Annette Curbow and Blake student Emily Bozadjian.

In addition to this joint assembly and to honor the National Day of Service and Remembrance, the MHS Student Council held a one-day collection, raising money for the Red Cross, and the Blake Middle School students held a one-day food collection for the . 

The students at Blake also viewed the video "Heart of Steel" on Friday, which focuses on how to get involved with community and they will see a clip of the new 9/11 Memorial in New York City.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

Patch Mayors are trusted local users who help moderate the Patch platform by promoting good local stories and flagging unwanted content. To learn more, click here.