Parkersburg High School Navy Junior ROTC Lt. j.g. Ethan Wilson, left, and Chief Hunter Turner, right, prepare to raise the American flag during an event Wednesday morning to remember those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Parkersburg High School Principal Kenny DeMoss speaks during Wednesday’s Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony at PHS. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Members of the Parkersburg High School Red Wings line up at Wednesday’s PHS Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony. Students and staff and community members gathered before the start of school to honor those lost in the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Parkersburg High School Student Council President Lexi Muller speaks during Wednesday’s Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony at the school. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Members of the Parkersburg High School Navy Junior ROTC stand at attention during the singing of the national anthem Wednesday during the PHS Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony. (Photo by Michael Erb)
During Wednesday’s 9/11 memorial ceremony in Ripley, Ryan Mullins, Army retiree, shares his experiences while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2001-2006. (Photo by Candice Black)
A three-volley salute was provided by Ripley’s American Legion Post 107 at Wednesday’s 9/11 memorial ceremony at the Courthouse Square Gazebo in Ripley. (Photo by Candice Black)
Capt. David Orzeroff, senior Naval Science instructor for the Navy Jr. ROTC at Parkersburg High School, speaks at the West Virginia University at Parkersburg 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
Parkersburg High School Navy Jr. ROTC Cadets Ashley Wagoner and Tiarraleka Leak ring the University Bell 18 times to commemorate the 18 years since the Sept. 11 terror attacks in 2001, during the West Virginia University at Parkersburg 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
Parkersburg High School Navy Jr. ROTC Cadets Garrett Lamar and Emma Rickard raise the American Flag during the West Virginia University at Parkersburg 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
Brady Whipkey, vice president of facilities and chief of staff to the president at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, speaks Wednesday during the West Virginia University at Parkersburg 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony as Darren Shearlock, WVU-P’s veteran advocate, listens. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
From left, United Way information and referral specialist Delaney Laughery, Coplin Health System’s Dr. Cathy Dailey and United Way program and engagement specialist Amy Arnold coordinate the Ready to Learn book delivery program at Parkersburg Family Care on Emerson Avenue. (Photo Provided)
Washington County Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Derkin, defense attorney Rolf Baumgartel and John Michael Decker await Decker’s sentencing Tuesday morning in Washington County Common Pleas Court. (Photo by Michele Newbanks)
Lila Eagle
The Actors Guild of Parkersburg is presenting “Murder By Poe” for the next three weekends at the Guild Playhouse at Eighth and Market streets in downtown Parkersburg. (Photo by Wayne Towner)
Coolville residents Aaron “Doc” Springer, left, and his mother, Cindy, are shown before the Sept. 5 “Ambush Makeover” segment in which they participated on “The Today Show.” (Photo Provided)
Coolville residents Aaron “Doc” Springer, left, and his mother, Cindy, are shown after receiving their makeovers on the Sept. 5 episode of “The Today Show.” (Photo Provided)
Family and hosts react as Coolville resident Aaron “Doc” Springer walks on-stage following his Sept. 5 makeover on “The Today Show.” Pictured are, from left, Springer’s uncle, Duff Orlemann; cousin, Seth Orlemann; aunt, Kim Orlemann; father, Ron Springer; and “Today” personalities Hoda Kotb, Maria Shriver and Jill Martin. (Photo Provided)
Haze H. McCoy
The Country Roads Festival royalty was crowned on Aug. 10. From left, Madisyn Wilson, Adrienne Kerr, Lillyan Nice, Gwenyth Napier, Sami Wagoner, Ashley Cox, Emma Kitchen, Sienna Taylor and Jayden Primm. (Photo Provided)
Zetta A. Sarver
Jackson County Commission President Dick Waybright displays the Thelma J. Stone Memorial Achievement award received Aug. 26. (Photo by Candice Black)
Parkersburg High School Navy Junior ROTC Lt. j.g. Ethan Wilson, left, and Chief Hunter Turner, right, prepare to raise the American flag during an event Wednesday morning to remember those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. (Photo by Michael Erb)
PARKERSBURG — Students, staff and residents of the community gathered on the front lawn of Parkersburg High School Wednesday morning to remember those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The Parkersburg High School A Cappella Choir sang the school alma mater and the national anthem, and members of the PHS Navy Junior ROTC raised the American flag and lowered it to half-staff.
Principal Kenny DeMoss said he was a teacher at PHS when the attacks occurred, and he and students watched events unfold on television in his classroom as the second plane struck the World Trade Center.
“It’s very hard to describe the word ‘shock,’ but I know I was experiencing it like many others,” he said. “That led to anger. And that then led to grief. On that day almost 3,000 people were killed on American soil. “
Among those lost in the attack on the Twin Towers in New York City was PHS alum Mary Lou Hague, a 1992 graduate and former classmate of DeMoss.
Members of the Parkersburg High School Navy Junior ROTC stand at attention during the singing of the national anthem Wednesday during the PHS Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony. (Photo by Michael Erb)
“She was a year younger than I was and a friend of mine,” he said. “On that day she was on the 89th floor of the South Tower when she tragically lost her life.”
DeMoss paused to compose himself.
“As we move forward from loss, like we did on that day, it helps us keep things in perspective,” he said. “It helps me personally to remember that we can never control the future … but we can sure live for today.”
Lexi Muller, student council president, said she was born a month after the events of Sept. 11, but added she and her classmates have grown up understanding how the world changed on that day.
“Although most of the students here were not born at the time of this event, many of us are still impacted today,” she said. “I’ve been impacted greatly by the stories, videos, and more importantly by the teachers who keep us educated.”
Members of the Parkersburg High School Red Wings line up at Wednesday’s PHS Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony. Students and staff and community members gathered before the start of school to honor those lost in the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Muller said she went to New York and visited the 9/11 memorial which stands on the former site of the World Trade Center.
“The best way to honor those who were lost is through the act of remembrance,” she said.
Parkersburg High School Principal Kenny DeMoss speaks during Wednesday’s Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony at PHS. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Parkersburg High School Student Council President Lexi Muller speaks during Wednesday’s Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony at the school. (Photo by Michael Erb)