For 24 years, we have carried a solemn promise: to never forget the innocent lives lost and the heroes who sacrificed everything on September 11th. At Exeter Township Senior High School, we renew that promise each year with a ceremony that is as moving as it is patriotic—a gathering to honor a local first responder, to recognize the police, fire, and EMS workers who protect us daily, and to remind our students—most of whom were not yet born—of the tragic events that forever changed our nation.

That message of unity and remembrance resonated powerfully this morning. Pennsylvania State Senator Judy Schwank urged those in attendance to recommit to that promise, especially in light of yesterday’s political turmoil. “In our hyper-polarized society, it’s easy to get caught up in politics and attack our neighbors as if they are the enemy. And you know, I wrote those words before I knew of the events that happened yesterday–what a tragic example of the outcome of that kind of rhetoric,” she reflected. “We must push past our differences and see each other as fellow Americans, all rooted in a common mission to uphold the very fabric of our democracy and to continue to make America a shining beacon of liberty and freedom for the entire world to admire, just as all those who died on September 11th did.”

Her call to unity and recognition of heroes that serve our nation locally, nationally and abroad set the stage for Exeter Township Sergeant Detective Rocco DeCamillo to present Exeter Township School District’s Director of Operations, Steven Biggerstaff, with a framed shadowbox of medals he had never received following his honorable discharge from the Marines in 1991, despite serving with distinction during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Those medals include: the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Saudi Arabia Liberation of Kuwait Service Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

The ceremony also honored Exeter Township alumnus Mike Trievel ’77, affectionately known as “Pops,” whose nearly 50 years of service as a first responder embodied courage, selflessness and devotion. Exeter Township Fire Chief Chris Jordan recounted Mr. Trievel’s career with the Exeter Ambulance Association, Reiffton Fire Company and the U.S. Coast Guard, where his work in port security contributed to national safety. In 2010, his extraordinary dedication earned him the American Red Cross Heroes Award—a fitting tribute to a life devoted to protecting others.

During the ceremony, Assistant Principal Matt Bauer reminded students why this day of remembrance endures in our schools: “We are more than two decades out. Students, none of you were alive in 2001. Yet all of us still live in the shock of that day. We realize the ongoing challenge of terrorism. We encourage you to take time to speak to your teachers and parents about their experiences and memories of that day. First responders and soldiers that made great sacrifices on 9/11 deserve that we take time to learn, understand and reflect.”