Deer Park High School Honors 12 Local 9/11 Victims With Wreaths

DEER PARK, NY — Deer Park High School marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with a day of remembrance honoring the 12 Deer Park community members who lost their lives and reflecting on the courage of those who helped others escape the World Trade Center.

The remembrance began on the school's front lawn, where Principal Charlie Cobb joined members of the Patriot Club for a memorial ceremony honoring the 12 local victims.

Led by advisers Joe Alo and Lisa Kiernan, Patriot Club members placed 12 wreaths, each representing a Deer Park community member who died in the attacks.

The commemoration continued in physical education classes, where students learned about Welles Crowther, known as "The Man in the Red Bandanna," who died while helping others escape the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

After watching an ESPN-produced video documenting Crowther's actions, students reflected on the importance of putting others first and participated in a stair-climbing activity on the school's bleachers.

The activity was designed to give students a small sense of the physical demands faced by those inside the towers during the attacks while encouraging them to consider the courage, compassion and sacrifice demonstrated by Crowther and other rescuers.

"This lesson was about much more than physical education," teacher Brian Tower said. "It was an opportunity for our students to reflect on the importance of courage, perseverance, compassion, sacrifice and selflessness, while honoring the memory of Welles Crowther and all those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001."