Delaware Tech remembers 9/11 with Patriot Day ceremony

By Seth Shockley

On Sept. 11 at Delaware Technical Community College in Georgetown, a memorial ceremony took place at the base of the flagpole on campus just before the Run, White, and Blue 5K.

The ceremony featured the Pledge of Allegiance, a performance of the national anthem, and speeches from Delaware Tech’s Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Melissa Rakes and Colonel Mike Berry of the Delaware National Guard.

“It was very good,” Delaware Tech Nursing student, Kayla Miller said. “well put together.”

Elementary Education student Brittany Ehman said she was almost moved to tears by the event, citing the speech by Col. Berry as a high point.

During the ceremony, attendees were given miniature American Flags, which were planted at the base of the flagpole.

One of the National Guard members on hand was Specialist Garman. He felt that the flags being planted was a nice tribute in commemorating those that have been lost.

One of the main focal points of the speeches by Col. Berry and Dr. Rakes, was that everybody old enough to remember the event can recall where they were during that morning.

“I was at work in Great Falls, Montana,” Rakes said, who found out from her co-workers about what had happened. “I was scared because I have family in the Baltimore area.”

“I was in Social Studies class learning about the New York economy,” Spc. Garman said. “We turned on the TV to see it.”

Miller said that she was a third grader at Georgetown Charter School at the time, and recalled not being able to understand what had happened.

Ehman lived in New Jersey at the time and was in the fifth grade. She recalled parents picking up their children early from school while everything was going on.

The event concluded long enough before the Run, White and Blue 5K for the runners to prepare.