Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 9-16-21 E-edition

Thursday, September 16, 2021
Immanuel honors local first responders
The View From Here
Every year on the anniversary of 9/11, I try to learn something new about that day that I didn’t know be- fore.
Juanita Adame
that show is about that day through the eyes of sur- vivors."
Wood talked to students about learning as much as they can about Sept. 11, 2001. “As I was watching the show, I’m watching it like it just hap- pened.”
Woods added that the rea- son many of the survivors were on the show was be- cause of the bravery of first responders.
“These individuals were alive because someone had made a sacrifice, a sacrifice of their energy, of their time and resources, and for some ultimately a sacrifice of their life,” he said.
Today we are honoring those who lost their life and we’re honoring those who gave their life.”
The ceremony included songs by the Immanuel High- school choir as well as a talk by Phil Goertzen, the schools principal.
Local first responders were honored at the end of the cer- emony and given a standing ovation by faculty, students and staff.
This year marked the 20 year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11.
So for example, one year I read up on one of the victims who worked inside the Win- dows of the World restau- rant. Another year, I listened to the voice mails left behind by victims to their families.
I do this because I feel it's important to keep their memories and their bravery alive. It's important to never forget them.
This year on the anniver- sary of 9/11 I did a couple of things I hadn’t done before. One of those was, I watched the Sept. 11, 2001 broadcast of the TODAY show on NBC.
At the time Katie Couric and Matt Lauer were the hosts. The show, which be- gan broadcasting at 7 a.m. eastern time began just like any other morning show. It’s almost difficult to watch at times at how happy and jo- vial the Katie and Matt were prior to 8:45 a.m.
They had a few interest- ing stories, one about Mi- chael Jordan joining base- ball, and they also had Harry Belafonte on as a guest.
As the show breaks for a commercial the camera pans around to the live stu- dio audience who is standing outside. The crowd is hold- ing signs and waving at the cameras laughing, smiling and not realizing that in less than one hour, their lives and the entire world would be changed indefinitely.
As the first plane crashed into the North Tower some- time after 9 a.m., Matt Lauer [I’m assuming he hears his producer say there’s been some kind of explosion at the World Trade Centers] interrupts the interview he’s conducting and begins to talk about the "breaking news."
As I watched, of course knowing what is going to happen in the next 90 min- utes, I thought back to how those who watched it live must have felt.
On the morning of Sept. 11, I was 22 years old. My daughter who is now 20, was only 8 months old at the time.
I didn't watch the attacks as they happened. I just re- member feeling completely shocked throughout the en- tire day. Feelings of fear, panic, uncertainty all took over me and many others I'm sure.
I hope we never forget the victims, their sacrifices and their bravery, and that tragic day that has been called America's darkest day.
JuanitaAdame /MidValleyTimes
ABOVE: First responders from several local agencies including, police, fire and EMS stood in front of stu- dents at Immanuel Schools on the morning of Sept. 10 as part of the school's 9/11 ceremony.
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
A horse and his handler from the California Highway Patrol were also in attendance during the ceremony.
Professional opera singer gives DHS students musical lesson
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
Students and faculty took some time to honor local first responders on the morning of Sept. 10 as part of their 9/11 ceremony on the Immanuel highschool campus. “National Geographic has a show called 9/11, one day in America,” said Ryan Wood, superinten- dent to students.
“If you haven’t watched it I’m going to strongly en- courage you to go watch it,
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
From left, Erika Alatorre a professional opera singer gave a lesson to Dinuba High School choir students about proper breathing techniques on the morning of Sept. 14. On the right, choir teacher Stephen Sawatzky listened in.
Students sang several songs while Alatorre listened and gave advice on vocal notes and sounds to make their performances stronger.
Contributed
Thisphotoof babyBrooklynPerezdressedasamermaidnextto the number 3 to mark her 3-month-old milestone, was taken by Letty Chagoya Have a photo you'd like featured? Email juanita@ midvalleypublishing.com.
Airport open house returns
MVT Staff Report
The Reedley Airport Commission has announced the return of the Korky Kevorkian Open House & Barbecue at Reedley Mu- nicipal Airport on Saturday, Oct. 2. The event, canceled in 2020 by the COVIDS-19 pandemic, will take place from9a.m.to2p.m.atthe airport, 4557 S. Frankwood Ave. north of Reedley. Ad- mission is free to the event (donations are welcome) and a barbecue hot dog
meal will be served at 11 a.m. Free airplane rides are available from 9 a.m. to noon, and guest speaker and aerobatic flyer Susan Bell will give a presenta- tion at noon. Free airplane rides will take place from 9 a.m. to noon; sign up at the information table as avail- ability is limited.
For more information, call the city of Reedley (559) 637-4203 or email Kayl.cheney@reedley. ca.gov.
Photo of the week