Little Patriots: Cooley Ranch Students Honor Lives Lost on Patriot Day by Gina Tenorio - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

MARCH
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 01 02 03 04
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Little Patriots: Cooley Ranch Students Honor Lives Lost on Patriot Day

By Gina Tenorio, Community Writer
September 15, 2015 at 10:42am. Views: 72

Though too young to have witnessed the devastation of Sept. 11, 2001, youngsters at Cooley Ranch Elementary honored those lost in the attacks and celebrated the US flag in a morning Patriot Day ceremony held Friday, Sept. 11. It was the 14th anniversary of the attacks. “(Principal) Mrs. Scates and I are very proud of our Kiwanis Kids Program,” said the school’s vice principal Lorilee Martin. “Their efforts resulted in a moving Patriot Day observance.” Teacher Sheila Brightman, adviser for the school’s Kiwanis Kids student service club, or K-Kids, led the ceremony that featured patriotic songs arranged by teachers Douglas Nasluchacz and John Barringer and sung by the Cooley Ranch Concert Choir. Members of the Colton High School ROTC Color Guard presented the colors and Colton resident Ramon Salas, an Army veteran who served a tour of duty in Vietnam, led the assembly in the pledge of allegiance. His daughter Isabel Salas, member of the Cooley Ranch PTO, provided flags that the hundreds of students waved throughout the event. Sixth graders with the K-Kids set the tone by reading poetry that spoke of the nation’s strength and recovery. Brightman reminded the students about the tragedies and provided some of the background in language the children could understand. “Today is really about you,” Brightman said reminding them that love of country and patriotism was for everyone. “Do you have to be in the Army to be a patriot?” she asked. “No!” the children answered back. The Kiwanis Club of Cooley Ranch president Doug Blinkinsop and Lisa Blacksher, a field representative with the office of Assemblywoman Cheryl R. Brown’s attended the ceremony. Cooley Ranch annually holds a ceremony in observance of Patriot Day. This year’s event was held in front of the flagpole off of Cooley Road. All grades attended.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: Shani Hamilton Thillet

By Greg Zerovnik, Contributing Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 459

“I am excited to leverage my extensive network of Inland Empire actors, dancers, and models to bring exceptional talent to advertising projects at Dameron Communications,” said Shani Hamilton Thillet

Photo Courtesy of: Moreno Valley Unified School District

By Anahi Velasco, Contributing Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 539

Left to Right: The Moreno Valley Unified School District team earned 3 CalSPRA Awards of Excellence and a President's Award. School Board Vice President Sammie Luna, Digital Media Specialist Isaiah Garcia, Director of Communications and Community Engagement Anahi Velasco, Digital Video Specialist Naival Cartagena, and School Board Member Justin Jackson.

Photo Courtesy of: Moreno Valley Unified School District

By Anahi Velasco, Contributing Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 577

Valley View High School earns California Distinguished School Award

Photo Courtesy of: City of Loma Linda - Government

By Eric Montgomery , Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 657

We’re excited to welcome the newest member of the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce — Upmost Barber Shop!

Photo Courtesy of: Thomas Jackson of Redlands, CA.

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 800

Pioneertown, established in 1946, is known as a prime filming location and tourist destination, offering an 1880s-themed experience with its Old West style buildings.

Photo Courtesy of: Redlands Conservancy

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 936

As spring warms the hills and trails around Redlands, another familiar sign of the season is making its return: rattlesnakes.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 596

A person wearing yellow cleaning gloves wipes a glass window with a cloth, removing soap and water during routine household cleaning.
Mayor Ulises Cabrera is encouraging residents to embrace the season as an opportunity for a fresh start while taking advantage of City resources designed to make spring cleaning easier, safer, and more convenient.

Photo Courtesy of: Redlands Conservancy

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 680

As spring warms the hills and trails around Redlands, another familiar sign of the season is making its return: rattlesnakes.

Photo Courtesy of: The City of Moreno Valley Government

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 632

Get ready to hop to MoVal’s annual Springtastic Festival and Egg Hunt!

Photo Courtesy of: City of Grand Terrace

By Judith J. Garcia, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 652

The City of Grand Terrace is hosting their Annual Blue Mountain Festival event on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Photo Courtesy of: Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

By Ross Goldberg, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 574

Children suffering from brain injury find pathways to recovery thanks to the highly-trained professional team providing care at Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’ s acute and subacute rehabilitation units.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Colton Community Services Department

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 514

No school? No problem! Skip the boredom and pull up to the Teen Hub. We’ve got you covered all break long.

--> -->