By Thomas Sellers Jr.
The Millington Central High School NJROTC Color Guard was under the direction of Cadet Commander Kenzie Withers.
With the Halls vs. Millington football game at Mooney Boswell Field falling on Sept. 11, the MCHS NJROTC program felt it was appropriate to commemorate the tragedy of 19 years ago. Prior to kickoff and just before the National Anthem performed by the MCHS Marching Band, the field belonged to the cadets.
Withers was accompanied by Cadet Lieutenant Commander Luis Carrillo, “Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Timmy Aderinoye and Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Bibiana Ortiz.
Cadet Chief Petty Officer Mikaila Gales carried the Ensign. Cadet Seaman Krista Reedy carried the Tennessee state flag. Cadet Petty Officer First Class Gabriela Juca carried the U.S. Navy flag.
Left guard was Cadet Petty Officer Second Class Eduardo Ortiz and right guard was Cadet Lieutenant Commander Jaden Harmon.
It was 19 years ago on Sept. 11 when 19 men hijacked four planes to carry out the deadliest attacks on United States soil. America was changed forever, history books were rewritten and families were never the same again.
Today the NJROTC looked back and paid honor to those lives lost on September 11, 2001.
At 8:46 a.m., a hijacked airliner, American Airlines Flight 11 out of Boston crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan in New York City. The crash tore a gaping hole in the building and setting it on fire taking the lives of the 99 passengers.
At 9:03 a.m., a second hijacked airliner, United Airlines, Flight 175 also out of Boston crashes into the South Tower of the World Trade Center and explodes taking the lives of 64 passengers.
At 9:38 a.m., a third hijacked airliner, American Airlines, Flight 77, crashes into the Pentagon sending up a huge plume of smoke. It took the lives of 64 passengers. The Pentagon lost 125 lives, including 55 military personnel.
At 10:03 a.m., a fourth hijacked airliner, United Airlines Flight 93, en route from Newark, N.J. To San Francisco with 38 passengers, two pilots and five flight attendants aboard, crashes about 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh in Shanksville, Penn.
At 10:05 a.m., the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapses.
At. 10:10 a.m., part of the Pentagon collapses.
Then at 10:28 a.m., the World Trade Center’s North Tower collapses from the top down.
On Sept. 11, 2020, the NJROTC and MCHS community remembered the lives of those lost 19 years ago but also pay gratitude to those first responders, military personnel and citizens who sacrificed everything to save lives during those events. Finally, to the families who lost loved ones, we honor you and hold you always in our thoughts.
