“On that day 21 years ago, America was changed forever. History books were rewritten, and families were never the same again. Innocent people lost their lives, and brave first responders sacrificed everything to make sure they saved American lives.
Twenty-one years ago, families lost sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers. Nothing would fill the void in these families’ lives, but with us gathering here today, we show these families that we will never forget, and their loved ones will always be remembered.
By us coming together today and putting on this ceremony, we show America’s spirit will never be broken. We will always show hope, faith, and resilience.”
Sophomore Anja Remolina spoke those somber words as her fellow Kennesaw Mountain High School NJROTC cadets prepared to raise the flag during the school’s 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony.
Local first responders, U.S. service members, and veterans stood among the silent crowd of high school students who were born after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Their parents remember where they were when they heard the news 21 years ago. The students remember where they first learned about the events that rocked the nation and the entire world before they were born.
Senior Jaise Green was in elementary school when she heard President Barack Obama announce the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed. Her dad, a military veteran, explained the history to her. 
Morolaouwa Kamson, 9th grade, did not learn the history of 9-11 until she moved to this country.
“It was in the fifth-grade social studies class. It was just really shocking for me because when I first came here, America was [the] promised land, safe. [Learning about 9-11] made America seem more human again,” the NJROTC cadet explained.
Jaise and Anja both recall seeing people still cry about what happened that fateful September day. Some were students, students they didn’t expect to see cry.
All the cadets agreed that it is important for students to continue learning about what happened on 9-11 and to stop and come together in ceremonies like the one at their high school.
“The importance of learning about 911 is so that we can remember that attacks will happen to us, and we need to stay united as a country so that we can overcome all the people that are trying to hurt us,” Anja explained. “When we are united, we're stronger, and we represent a bigger force to people from other countries around the world.”
Morolaouwa is moved by the stories of the people directly impacted by what happened more than two decades ago.
“9/11 is important to remember because of the families affected and how America was affected by the terrorist attack,” the ninth grader declared. “People weren't really expecting it. The way it affected American families and the economy and the shock of people was just huge. I remember I read about these the people, the first responders who came [and] all the construction workers who saw things that no one else did.”
