On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Lt. Col. Gabriel Macias was in his doctor’s office with his eyes closed after surgery. At the time, Macias could only hear the breaking news about a plane striking the World Trade Center’s North Tower. With his eyes still closed to the world, the second plane hit the South Tower, and he heard gasps as staff watched the collapse of the tallest buildings in New York City.
“When I closed my eyes on September 10, the world was one way," said Macias. “When I was finally able to open them again, the world had changed completely. Everyone’s world had been forever changed from one day to the next.”
Nearly two decades later, Macias shared this story at the Johnson High School Patriot Day ceremony. The assembly was hosted by the Johnson JROTC program and included many cadets and students who were born after that tragic day.
The annual ceremony has been a staple at Johnson since the campus opened. A memorial at the entryway of the school stands to honor the service and sacrifice of all the Americans who were affected by the 9/11 terror attacks.
“This is such an awesome way to observe Patriot Day,” said Thomas Groggett, Senior Army Instructor at Johnson. “Our students have been putting on this ceremony as long as the school has been open. It’s been the students here that do this. They are the ones that carry on this tradition. Just to see generation to generation continue to carry it on is something that makes them, and of course me, very proud.”
Cadet Dominick Colera says it's important to pay tribute and never forget the lives lost on that day.
“It feels really good to know that this is something that will always be remembered and that I am doing my part to carry on this Johnson tradition that shows remembrance to civilians and military that we have lost in the events since then," said Colera.
The ceremony concluded with the playing of taps, and three flags raised to half-staff in commemoration of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
