A Decade of Remembrance

As members of the Burlington High School music program joined the local community this morning on the common to commemorate September 11 during “A Decade of Remembrance,” we were filled with pride for our community, coming together with a show of love and support for the families of the innocent victims near and far who lost their lives, as well as our local first responders and troops who still serve and protect.

Community events like this provide an opportunity to collectively share in the moment of remembrance. As we stood under a crystalline sky early this morning, we did just that, calling back the memories we had of that day 10 years ago. It was an opportunity to “never forget” by relating our own personal stories of where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news.

Music brings special meaning to events such as this by providing the opportunity to reflect on the moment, much the same as it does in worship. Punctuating the prayers and speeches during today’s event were musical performances by the Liberty Belle Chorus, Stuart Highland Pipe Band and our own members of the BHS Marching Band Drum Line and first trumpet section.

The melancholy melodies of the bagpipes and drum as they drew near, the steady beat of the BHS Drum Line as it processed and recessed leading honor guards from the armed forces and our local police and fire departments, the singular voice of “Taps” delivered by members of the BHS trumpet section, and the voices that sang in tribute to our country and troops had a profound effect on all those present this morning.

The BHS Music Boosters and the entire high school community can be proud of our young musicians and their director Matt Lovell. Their service at events like this combined with their musicianship, honor and reverence for the day is an extraordinary experience that stretches far beyond the classroom.

The lyrics of our national anthem rang ever-so-poignantly today as the flag was raised to half-staff:

Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

We will never forget.