A large American flag flew above Chisholm Street in Alpena on Friday as local schools commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. School districts marked the day with announcements, classroom conversations and moments of silence for those who lost their lives.
The anniversary was observed on Sept. 11, 2026, 25 years after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The observances were intended not only to remember the victims and heroes of that day, but also to help students understand an event that occurred before many of them were born.
Moments of silence began at 8:46 a.m.
At Alcona Community Schools, Superintendent Dan O'Connor said the district makes a blanket announcement at 8:46 a.m., the time the plane hit the first World Trade Center building. Students and staff then take part in a moment of silence for the people who died.
O'Connor said the observance prompts discussion in classrooms throughout the day. The conversations give students an opportunity to learn about the attacks and the effect they had on the country.
“Obviously that does prompt discussion in each of the classes,” O'Connor said. “We do make it a topic of conversation throughout the day.”
He said it remains important to teach students about the attacks and to remind them of the past.
“It's really important to remember the horrific situation that happened that day and obviously do our best to educate and remind students of the past,” O'Connor said.
Alpena Public Schools tailor discussions by age
Alpena Public Schools Superintendent Dave Rabbideau said every grade level receives an announcement commemorating the attacks, followed by a moment of silence. Teachers then discuss the events with students in their classrooms, with the subject matter adjusted for the students' ages.
Part of the district announcement encouraged students to carry forward a lesson of compassion: “let's remember to be kind and supportive to the people around us just as the heroes did.” Rabbideau said he wants the practice carried out in every school building.
“We want to make sure that all principles do this in every building,” Rabbideau said.
Rabbideau, who was a teacher when the attacks occurred, recalled watching the World Trade Center burn on television. He said the passage of 25 years has changed how people in the district experience and understand the event, but he does not want it to disappear from students' understanding.
“We want to make sure that it doesn’t become ancient history.”
Community college president recalls national impact
Don MacMaster, president of Alpena Community College, described Sept. 11 as an event that affected staff and students at the time and changed the nation.
“It was a nation changing event and certainly impacted the staff and students at that time,” he said.
The local observances followed a nationwide call from U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. In a Thursday press release, McMahon urged K-12 educators to set aside time to honor the victims and heroes of the attacks on the 25th anniversary.
Her message emphasized helping younger generations understand the history, loss and courage associated with Sept. 11 through thoughtful, age-appropriate civic instruction. State Rep. Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, said Michigan has no statewide standard specifying how districts must teach the attacks, although he believes most curriculums address them. Cavitt said he would support a benchmark for 9/11 education.
“We can't forget,” he said.