Breaking News
Local News

Hague remembered as governor marks Sept. 11 anniversary at Parkersburg High School

By Evan Bevins 3 min read

PARKERSBURG - The sister of a Parkersburg High School graduate killed 25 years ago at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 asked students to remember not only her but all of the nearly 3,000 people whose lives were lost in that day's terrorist attacks.

"Behind every name is a family that was changed forever," Cindy Bullock told the school's student body in a ceremony Friday afternoon at Stadium Field marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

Bullock's sister, Mary Lou Hague was a 1992 graduate of PHS who was working as a research analyst for Keefe, Bruyette & Woods and was on the 89th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center when it was struck by a hijacked airliner.

"She was a loving daughter, a wonderful sister, a thoughtful friend," Bullock said of her sister, who was 26 when she died. "She was living her best life in New York City."

Speaking to her sister and the others who died in the attacks, Bullock said, "Your lives mattered. You are remembered. And you are greatly missed. And your legacy continues to shape our lives and our nation."

Bullock spoke after remarks by Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce and West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, who noted Hague was one of two West Virginians killed in the plane crashes, along with Dr. Paul Ambrose of Huntington, who was on the plane that struck the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

"America was tragically wounded on Sept. 11. But it did not break," Morrisey said. "After that day, America came together. People lined up to give blood. They called their loved ones. They checked on their neighbors. ... We were Americans first, and always. And we were in it together."

He also praised the efforts of the passengers of United Flight 93, who fought back against the hijackers and forced the plane down in a field in Pennsylvania.

Joyce asked students to honor Hague and others who died by doing their best as students, children and siblings.

"In a world dominated by social media, don't just post and share in life," he said. "I challenge you to honor Mary Lou and the other victims by simply being better. And doing better."

Joyce reiterated advice he said he often gives young people - to tell family and friends how much they love and appreciate them.

PHS Student Council President Anabelle Schmidt started her remarks recognizing first responders by noting that she and her classmates had not been alive to experience Sept. 11, 2001.

"For many of us sitting here today, 9-11 is something we learned about in a classroom," she said.

But she pointed out how people have tried to transform the day into one of service and asked her classmates to do something kind for others.

During his speech and moreso after the event, Morrisey talked about his memories of the day, when he was working for the U.S. House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee. He was tasked with helping evacuate members of Congress and staffers from the Capitol as people feared it could be targeted as well.

Morrisey also told students about a lesson they could take from Friday's ceremony.

"History isn't just something that happens to other people, at places that are far away," he said.

"Twenty-five years ago, America saw the very worst of what people are capable of," he said. "But we also saw some of the best."

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

Starting at /week.