Two-decades later....

Remembering September 11, 2001

This morning, following the Pledge of Allegiance, we held a brief moment of silence to commemorate the fateful day of September 11, 2001. Borderline unfathomable to believe it was two decades ago; nearly a generation has passed, yet September 11, 2001, feels like yesterday and a lifetime ago. 

Anyone 30-years-old likely knows where they were that day, and undoubtedly anyone north of 35-years-old remembers all too well where they were when they learned of the tragic events and the unnerving feelings that accompanied this act of terrorism. 

Nobody was left unscathed. Those impacted most lost loved ones on that day. Many did not lose a loved one, but they knew friends who did or friends of friends who lost a loved one.  

Mostly unspoken, but we were all acutely aware of the tragic irony to follow. September 11, 2001, plunged the United States into the longest war in our nation's history. That war began October 7, 2001, and ended August 30, 2021.

Today, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker ordered the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset in honor of Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo USMC, of Lawrence, Massachusetts.  She passed away on August 26, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan. 

USMC Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo was five years old when America was attacked—likely shielded by her loved ones of the dreadful news. Two decades later, she paid the ultimate sacrifice for events she was too young even to bear witness. 

It should not be lost on any of us that brave Americans, like Johanny Rosario Pichardo, volunteer for the armed forces, so those who wish to choose another path can do so. 

"On September 11, 2021, the United States Marine Corps will fly Sergeant Rosario Pichardo's remains to Boston's Logan International Airport, where she will be received by her mother and siblings and honored guests. Those repatriation services are private and for family only." There are no words that console. 

There is no silver lining to be drawn from September 11, 2001; however, one bi-product of that day was how America rallied in support of one another. The United States felt more like "we." It is unfortunate that as a country, too often, we divide ourselves into two parts. We and they. A polarization so entrenched that even a worldwide pandemic and a common enemy known as COVID-19 failed to rally Americans behind a common cause.  

Less a message of hopelessness and more a reminder that however flawed, we are all Americans, and there is much to celebrate about our Republic. Also, what we don't like about our country, we are free to openly criticize and work collectively to change. There are billions of people in 2021 who do not enjoy these natural-born rights. 

A difficult transition, but one constant we all live with is that time marches on. On that note, I am not surprised but supremely grateful that our CCHS community came out in droves to support our school last night. 

Last evening was Back-to-School night, and despite being held on Zoom, nearly 700 people logged in to view the opening presentation and undoubtedly even more visited with teachers. On behalf of all of us at CCHS, thank you for the unwavering support of our school and the great students we serve.  

Sincerely,

Michael J. Mastrullo