Winnetka, Community

Winnetka students mark 9/11 anniversary by thanking local heroes; Glencoe ceremony set for 7:46 a.m.

Pre-college students were not yet born when the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, occurred. That includes the sixth-graders of Winnetka’s the Skokie School.

But to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack, the local students walked to the Winnetka firehouse and police station to present their local heroes with handmade cards and a united “Thank you.”

Fire Chief John Ripka thanked the students for their efforts and told them that the 9/11 anniversary is always a somber and difficult occasion for firefighters across the country and that many first-responders from Chicagoland traveled to New York City on 9/11 to contribute to the rescue efforts.

Three hundred forty-four firefighters, 71 police officers and 55 military personnel were among the 2,977 who died during the 9/11 attacks.

Winnetka Fire Lt. Scott Michehl admires the cards given to the department by Skokie School students.

Skokie School teacher Meghan Warner said students learned about 9/11 during the week and were particularly enamored by the bravery of the first-responders.

A school club, the Lions of Leadership, began making cards for local first-responders and soon the entire school was in on the activity.

The 9/11 commemoration continues on Saturday.

One town north, the Village of Glencoe is teaming with Am Shalom to honor the “heroes and victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack” with a memorial ceremony beginning at 7:46 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the flag pole at Am Shalom, 840 Vernon Ave.

At 7:46 a.m. central time on Sept. 11, 2001, the first plane (American Airlines Flight 11) struck the World Trade Center (north tower).

The event is public, and masks are required.


The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a subscriber? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.

joe coughlin
Joe Coughlin

Joe Coughlin is a co-founder and the editor in chief of The Record. He leads investigative reporting and reports on anything else needed. Joe has been recognized for his investigative reporting and sports reporting, feature writing and photojournalism. Follow Joe on Twitter @joec2319

Related Stories