Every September 11, people come together to mark one of the saddest days in our nation’s history. On that day in 2001, terrorists flew two planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. (Terrorists are people who use violence to spread fear or gain power.) A third plane hit the Pentagon. That’s the U.S. military headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.
Nearly 3,000 people died as a result of the attacks. That includes more than 400 firefighters and other first responders who rushed to help.
The anniversary has special meaning for the students at Dr. Bryan C. Jack Elementary School in Tyler, Texas. That’s because their school is named after someone who died on 9/11.
Bryan C. Jack was on the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. He had worked there for more than 20 years, helping to create the military’s budget. Jack had gone to school in the Tyler Independent School District.
When a new elementary school opened there in 2007, officials named it after Jack. Since then, the school has held a ceremony each year on 9/11, also known as Patriot Day. Students lead the event. They celebrate Jack’s life and remember those who died that day. They invite first responders and military veterans to attend.
“Our goal is to make sure students understand that their school was named after a leader in our country,” says principal Brett Shelby. “We honor the contributions he made to America.”