Westbury High School Ensures 9/11 Is Never Forgotten With Impactful Speaker

WESTBURY, NEW YORK—To commemorate the 25^th anniversary of 9/11, Westbury High School paid respects to those who lost their lives and the brave first responders who took action with a powerful guest speaker, Christopher Howard, an FDNY firefighter and prominent 9/11 remembrance advocate.

“For several years, we have hosted 9/11 guest speakers at Westbury High School to help our scholars learn about this pivotal moment in history,” said Dr. Tahira A. DuPree Chase, superintendent of the Westbury School District. “As this new generation of scholars were not alive in 2001, firsthand accounts help us ensure 9/11 is never forgotten.”

On September 10^th, Christopher Howard discussed the events of 9/11 with Westbury High School scholars, administrators, faculty, and staff and answered their questions during this meaningful assembly, held during eighth period and again during ninth period.

“When you enter the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, it says, ‘No day shall erase you from the memory of time,’” explained Christopher Howard. “If we do not talk about these people, they will be erased. We need to keep their memories alive and ensure people hear their stories so they can share them.”

Christopher’s father, Port Authority Police Officer George Howard, passed while responding to the World Trade Center on September 11^th, 2001, on his day off as an elite member of the department’s emergency service unit. Following the attacks, George Howard’s mother presented his silver shield badge to President George W. Bush, who famously carried it with him throughout his presidency. Christopher honors his father and the fallen by organizing powerful annual 9/11 remembrance displays outside his home in Massapequa Park, New York, featuring a visible light tribute and hundreds of wooden crosses for every first responder lost.

On September 11^th, the Westbury High School NJROTC cadets lowered the American flag to half-staff in respect and remembrance of the victims, first responders, service members, and courageous everyday heroes. Memorial announcements were made over the loudspeaker, including a moment of silence led by Principal Reginald Warren and announcements at 8:46 a.m., the time the North Tower was struck, and at 9:03 a.m., the time the South Tower was struck. Band teacher Michael Rubenstein played “Taps” for the school over the loudspeaker as well.

To learn more about the Westbury Union Free School District, visit the district website at https://www.westburyschools.org/. Like the district Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OneWestbury, and follow the district on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/onewestbury/?hl=en. #OneWestbury #DedicatedToExcellenceInEducation