Cody Stokes, left, and Don Hughes raise the flag at Carson High School during the 9-11 Memorial in front of the school Thursday. | photo by Brad Horn
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, firefighters and law enforcement officials emerged as national heroes.
But on the second anniversary of the attacks, New York firefighter Michael Bellone identified another sort of heroism.
"On behalf of the people of New York City, we want to thank you for all of your prayers. You helped us get through one of our darkest hours," Bellone told Carson High School students Thursday morning. "For that, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
More than 2,000 teenagers gathered for a ceremony at the entrance of the school to commemorate the attacks.
"Today is a day that we need to remember," Principal Glen Adair told the students. "The 9-11 attack and how we responded as a country may be one of our finest hours. We did not crumble, we did not flee. We did not hesitate to do our job."
Firefighters visiting from New York said they were bolstered by the support of citizens across the country.
Bob Barrett recalled how he stayed with fellow firefighters in St. Paul's Church during the recovery efforts. He said they received thousands of letters from school children across the nation.
"When we used to read them, we'd say, 'Wow, we're not tired. Let's go back to work,'" Barrett said. "You made us work even harder. You were behind us. You are our fellow Americans."
Danny Rotter, a 17-year-old senior, was grateful for the opportunity to remember.
"It was such an emotional time," he said. "It's never going to go away -- all those emotions and all the loss of lives."
Recent Carson High School graduates Kenneth Falconer, a specialist in the U.S. Army, and Josh Groth, of the Nevada Army National Guard, returned to the school for the ceremony.
"It was awesome that we had the firefighters here," Groth said. "I just hope people realize exactly what was said. Freedom isn't free and there are people who are willing to pay the price."
As the finale, the flag was lowered to half staff and balloons were released in honor of those who died.
Afterward, 15-year-old Robyn Henderson approached Bellone to tell him of her plans to become a firefighter like her father.
"I just like knowing I can help people out," she said.
Bellone took the FDNY cap off his head and placed it on hers.
"Don't forget where this came from," he said, and walked away.
