Long Branch School District Remembers 9/11

The message was loud and clear at Long Branch High School on Friday morning during the Sept. 11, 2001 Commemoration Service.

"It's not about flags and its not about colors; it's about people," Long Branch Superintendent Michael Salvatore said to a huge crowd in the Long Branch High School auditorium.

Salvatore said everybody remembers where they were when they heard the news that our country was attacked almost 10 years ago. He said that it was a day that changed our country, but also brought its citizens together.

"Through sadness, something miraculous happened," Salvatore said. "We started putting our pety differences aside."

On the eve of the tenth anniversary of 9/11, Salvatore said there will now be a  new memorial at the school district.

"This is an actual piece of World Trade Center steel, and it will be on display at the school forever," Salvatore said.

The steel was unveiled by the Long Branch High School Jr. Air Force ROTC, as they removed and folded the large American flag that was draped over it.

Long Branch Board of Education member Avery Grant and Mayor Adam Schneider addressed the crowd and spoke of their memories of 9/11 and what its impact will be on future generations.

"It was clearly a day that changed the course of the country," Mayor Schneider said.

Anastasia School students sang "We The People," Morris Avenue students sang "When the Flag Goes By," and the Long Branch Middle School Choir performed a nice rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine."