By Debbie Adams
Cadets in the Navy National Defense Cadet Corps, based at William Byrd High School, paid
tribute to those who perished twenty-five years on 9/11 with an American flag retirement
ceremony.
Command Senior Chief Shawn M. Wingle, U.S. Navy (Ret.), the Naval Science Instructor at
WBHS, remembered the 2,977 victims of the attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon,
and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Another 9,000 people have died from 9/11-related illnesses in
the years since.
Company Commander Alexis Short noted that the flags being retired were donated by the local
community, had been ceremonially cut into pieces, and then were committed to the fire.
“It is fitting to honor them and properly retire them as they represent blood shed for our
country,” Wingle said. “9/11 is a day that changed the course of our history, and it is important
to honor that every single year.”
Cadet Beasley delivered the invocation, “Heavenly Father, we pause to remember those whose
lives were lost on September 11th, those who ran toward danger, and those who have served our
nation in the years since. Grant comfort to the families who still carry that loss, strength to those
who serve, and wisdom to each of us to live with courage, honor, and gratitude. May we never
forget the sacrifice of those we honor today.”
Master of Ceremonies Cadet Jaxon Fowler welcomed guests to the solemn event, saying, “We
are honored to be joined by our school and community leaders, first responders, service
members, Veterans, students, and families. Twenty-five years ago today, our nation experienced
one of the darkest days in American history. Nineteen terrorists hijacked four aircraft. Two
struck the World Trade Center buildings; one struck the Pentagon; and one never reached its
intended target because ordinary Americans chose to fight back. Today, we remember those lost,
those who served, and the lives forever changed.”
He then retraced the timeline of the events of that morning, with the Navy bell struck once after
each event.
At 7:59 a.m. American Airlines Flight 11 departed Boston’s Logan International Airport
bound for Los Angeles with five hijackers aboard.
At 8:14 a.m. United Airlines Flight 175 departed Boston, bound for Los Angeles with
five hijackers aboard.
At 8:14 a.m. Flight 11 was hijacked over Massachusetts.
At 8:20 a.m. American Airlines Flight 77 departed Washington Dulles International
Airport, bound for Los Angeles. Five hijackers were aboard.
At 8:42 a.m. United Airlines Flight 93 departed Newark, bound for San Francisco with
four hijackers aboard.
At 8:46 a.m. Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
At 9:03 a.m. Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower.
At 9:37 a.m. Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon.
At 9:57 a.m. passengers aboard Flight 93 learned what had happened. They decided to
fight back. They knew the danger. They knew they may not survive. But they choose to
act.
At 9:59 a.m. the South Tower collapsed.
At 10:03 a.m. Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The passengers and crew
fought to take back their aircraft, preventing it from reaching its intended target in
Washington, D.C. Their courage saved countless lives.
At 10:28 a.m. the North Tower collapsed.
“In less than three hours, our world had changed forever. By the end of that day, 2,977 innocent
people had been killed. They were mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters.
They were firefighters, police officers, paramedics, service members, coworkers, friends, and
ordinary Americans who simply expected to come home that night. They never did.
“But September 11th is remembered for more than tragedy. It is remembered for courage. First
responders ran toward danger. Ordinary citizens risked their lives for strangers. And aboard
Flight 93, passengers made an extraordinary choice—they fought back.
“Twenty-five years later, we remember those we lost, the families forever changed, the first
responders who answered the call, and the service members who carried our nation forward.
“For most of us students here in attendance, September 11th is history. For others, it is a
memory. For all of us, it is a responsibility: to remember, to honor, and to never forget.”
After the playing of “TAPS” by Cadet Bandy, the flag retirement ceremony followed.
Cadet Fowler said, “In the days following September 11th, Americans raised the flag
everywhere—over homes, schools, businesses, fire stations, police stations, and communities
across our nation. It became more than a symbol; it became a message that America was grieving
but still standing.
“The United States Flag Code states that when a flag is ‘no longer a fitting emblem for display,’
it ‘should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.’ Today, these flags have
completed their watch. As part of this ceremony, our cadets will respectfully cut and separate
each flag before it is committed to the fire. This is done deliberately, with dignity and reverence,
as part of its final retirement. These flags are not being discarded. They are being retired—with
honor, dignity, and the respect they have earned.”
“Before this flag is retired, look upon it one final time. Its thirteen stripes represent the original
colonies; its fifty stars represent fifty states united as one nation. Red reminds us of valor and
sacrifice. White represents purity and our pursuit of peace. Blue represents vigilance,
perseverance, and justice. This flag has flown proudly and faithfully represented our nation. Its
watch is now complete.”
The Flag Detail next separated the colors and the stripes while keeping the blue union intact.
Fowler continued, “As our cadets separate this flag, understand that this is done deliberately and
with reverence as part of its retirement. The cloth may pass away, but what it
represents—freedom, sacrifice, duty, and service—remains.”
Six special guests were asked to assist in retiring “American flags that have served our nation.”
Commander Scott Fannin represented the Veterans of Foreign Wars who carried our nation’s
Colors beyond our shores in defense of the freedoms they represent.
On September 11th, firefighters and first responders demonstrated courage the world will never
forget. Roanoke County Schools CTE Supervisor Mark Jones represented firefighters and EMS
professionals who stand ready day and night to answer the call.
Vinton Police Chief and veteran Fabricio Drummond represented local law enforcement officers,
who accept the responsibility of running toward danger when others need help most.
Roanoke County Sheriff Eric Orange represented those whose oath represents courage, duty, and
service to the citizens they protect.
Vinton Mayor Brad Grose, a United States Army veteran who served our nation in uniform
continues to serve our community today.
Dr. Jamie Soltis, Superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools, whose leadership helps
shape the next generation of citizens and leaders was invited to retire our nation’s Colors.
Each honored guest was presented with a grommet from a retired American flag.
“Sailors have long viewed a flag’s grommet as a symbol of good fortune—having endured wind,
weather, and time while holding our Colors secure. May it serve as a reminder of strength
through adversity, service through sacrifice, and a nation that endures.”
Active-duty service members, veterans, and first responders were next invited to place sections
of an American flag into the retirement fire. Thank you for your service to our nation and our
community.”
“The flags retired today are gone, but everything they represented remains. Twenty-five years
after September 11th, 2001, we remember the 2,977 lives lost, the first responders who ran
toward danger, the service members who answered our nation’s call, and the families who still
carry that loss. September 11th reminds us that courage, service, and patriotism are more than
words—they are choices. Even after twenty-five years have passed. Today we remember. We
honor. And we will never forget.”
