By Drew Terhall

Dailyadvocate.com

GREENVILLE — It was a day of recognition and remembrance at Greenville City Schools on September 11. Behind the K-8 building, students had the chance to learn about the events of 9/11 and honor veterans and first responders for their sacrifice to keeping the community and country safe.

“We hold this ceremony knowing none of the students assembled here were born at the time of this tragic event. We want to help all of our students to understand the great sacrifice that has to occur in order to secure our freedom and provide us with security in an uncertain and ever-changing world,” Greenville Principal 5-8 Chris Mortensen said.

Mortensen started out the ceremony painting a picture of what that day was like. He said it was a day that started out like today, a clear morning with everyone going about their daily routine. From there, the attacks came one by one and everyone was scrambling to learn what was happening.

It was a day everyone came together. Mortensen said everyone saw heroes in the form of their friends, family and loved ones during that time.

Then Captain Keith Denman was the guest speaker for the event. He served in the United State Navy for 30 years and was the Greenville High School Navy JROTC instructor for 11 years. He is currently an active member of the American Legion Post 140 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7262 Darke County Honor Guard.

Denman said during the attacks that day, he had lost two friends who were stationed at the Navy command center at the Pentagon. He thinks about them every Patriot’s Day and Memorial Day.

“We’ve come to honor this day as Patriot’s Day and to honor the almost 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001. We must also remember those first responders who are still giving their lives due to the toxic conditions they worked in during the weeks following 9/11,” Denman said.

For Denman, he was stationed in Virginia the day of the attacks. He said he was still working in Navy aviation when he heard about the first plane hitting the tower. As the attacks kept coming, Denman and his crew started to get aircraft carriers ready and loaded, hoping they wouldn’t have to use the missiles they loaded onto the aircrafts. Two carries left the base, one heading to New York and one heading to Washington D.C.

It was a hectic day to say the least for Denman. While he was responding to the attacks, he found the time to call his wife. He had the conversation many first responders and military members had with their loved ones.

“Sometime during this period, I called my spouse, Mrs. Denman, I told her to go home with our two boys because I feared people would be driving not thinking about what they’re doing and causing an accident,” Denman said. “My wife asked me the question that probably a lot of military and first responders get all the time, ‘When are you going to be home?’. I don’t know.”

After they did all they could, Denman headed home just after midnight. He said it was an eerie drive home as the roads were empty that night.

Amongst the students and staff at the school, the local first responders were also there. Students were able to show their appreciation for what they do on a daily basis to keep this community safe. Mortensen said today is a great chance to honor those lost and their loved ones from the public safety community and thank all past, present and future heroes for helping maintain their freedoms.

“I’m glad we have the opportunity to be able to think about their sacrifices they make. Give the opportunity, please take a moment to say thank you to a police officer, firefighter, rescue worker and all of those who support you each and every day. And try to make sure that you are safe,” Mortensen said.