Katie Frank's third grade students were infants or just being born when terrorists attacked innocent Americans on U.S. soil on September 11, 2001. "We didn't talk a lot about the attacks, but that Sept. 11 is a special day for our country," said Frank following a special Patriot's Day celebration at Patterson Elementary School on Friday morning. "Some of the students told how their parents had discussed what happened with them," she said.

     The Patterson students watched solemnly through a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. and then watched while Building Engineer Pete Casey, assisted by student Vincent Ngyuyen, sent the school's American flag up the flagpole and then brought it down to half-mast. Students raised their eyes to the flag, right hands on their hearts, as they flawlessly recited the Pledge of Allegience, and then sang The Star Spangled Banner, led by Music Teacher, Kaye Bowman. She then led them through the singing of "This Land is Your Land," complete with gestures. Finally, the students were asked to "clap for the United States of America" to end the event. 

     Watching these youngsters was inspiring to me. As the teacher said, some weren't even yet born when the planes hit the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and one was wrested to the ground in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. by some courageous souls. 

     But the kids sure knew that there is something special about being an American and demonstrating the patriotic spirit., especially on this day of memoriam. A few youngsters looked around, not sure what to do, but most of the kids quickly placed their hands over their hearts and knew the words to the Pledge of Allegiance. I watched one little boy place his hand over his heart upon Mr. Eddie Manuszak's first instruction to do so, and he did not take it down throughout the ceremony, citing the Pledge and then robustly singing "The Star Spangled Banner."  

     Many of us spend the anniversaries of 9/11 in our own familiar groups, revisiting what we were doing when we heard the news on that fateful day and remembering and honoring those who died, including rescuers who went into the buildings, as well as the families -- and a nation -- who yet mourn the senseless loss of 3,000 individuals. But this year I was privileged to spend a few moments with some school children, who took time out of THEIR busy new school year day to gather around the flagpole and salute their country as part of their own commemoration of a horrific event they will mostly remember as a history lesson.