Students, Staff Commemorate Patriot Day

COLTON>> Two days before the nation marked the 15th anniversary of one of the worst terror attacks on US soil, students at Cooley Ranch Elementary School gathered in front of the campus’ flagpole to pay tribute to those lost on Sept. 11, 2001. The solemn nature of the anniversary was somewhat brightened by the children, who sang patriotic songs and read statements that aimed to explain the tragedy to those not yet born when it happened. Held Sept. 9, Cooley Ranch Elementary’s Patriot Day ceremony was presented by the school’s K-Kids club, a student chapter of the Kiwanis Club and the remembrance has become an annual event. Members of K-Kids Action Team set the tone by reading the poem, "The Flag Goes By,” by H.H. Bennett: “Hats off! Along the street there comes, a blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums and loyal hearts are beating high: Hats off! The Flag is passing by.” About two-dozen family members and more than 500 school children took part in the event. Members of the school’s music program, under the direction of teacher Douglas Nasluchacz and band director Andrea Morse, performed. School Principal Judy Scates and Vice Principal Lorilee Martin served as hosts, welcoming visitors, including Kiwanian Deborah Booty, Colton City Councilman Isaac Suchil and motivational speaker Berenice Villa, a community organizer with the Central Valley Prevention Program. Villa, who works to spread the message about the dangers of underage drinking, stressed the importance of community. “Not every superhero wears a cape,” she told the crowd adding that some wear the uniforms of everyday people. "The community family must care for one another," she said. "Who are the superheros? You are." “What I wanted the children to take away, simply said, is the future of our country is in their hands,” Villa said after the ceremony. “If they believe themselves to be superheroes who value the superpowers in others, acts such as 9/11 will not bring us down as a nation.” Suchil said first responders still feel the great loss of that day, but said the students inspired him at the event. “I was very moved by the kids, because they were very much into Patriots Day,” Suchil said, who quietly declined an opportunity to speak at the ceremony. “Today was all about the kids. That’s why I chose not to speak. It’s about them and the future.” “It’s important that our kids know what our country stands for," he said. "Sept. 11 did bring our country together. It made us stronger."