RSE Students, teachers, and staff gathered by the school’s flagpole Thursday morning for a Patriot Day ceremony that blended solemn remembrance with messages of unity and hope. 

The program opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by sixth-grade students performing the national anthem, and remarks from RSE Superintendent Denise Sullivan. A district-wide moment of silence honored the lives lost and those still impacted by the events of September 11, 2001.

Speaking to students about why the date still matters, Mrs. Sullivan explained how an ordinary morning swiftly became a national tragedy. She underscored the courage shown that day by “firefighters, police officers, and everyday people who risked their lives to help others,” and urged students to remember the helpers as much as the heartbreak.

Out of that tragedy, she noted, came a wave of unity and compassion, neighbors helping neighbors, American flags flying everywhere, and communities standing together. 

“What united us became stronger than what divided us,” she said, adding gratitude for first responders, educators, families, and all who work to keep children safe.

The ceremony closed with a reflection on carrying forward values of kindness, courage, and service. 

As “God Bless America” played, students and staff returned to class with a renewed commitment to honoring the past and strengthening the community in the present.