Patriots’ Day 2024 Observed with Words of ‘Promise and Hope’

BL’s 2024 commemoration of Patriots’ Day began with a simple, but stirring act of patriotism: a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner by a combined middle and upper school chorus, led by music teacher Kathy Anderson. “I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to open this assembly,” said academic dean Brandon Mollett, who spoke to the audience following the song. The assembly marked what he called “a day of service and remembrance.”

This year marked the twenty-third anniversary of 9/11, the devastating terrorist attacks that resulted in the death of nearly 3000 Americans. “For you, the students here today, this is a bit of history, a nugget, a tragic moment that you know about but that has likely had a lasting impact on your lives as a whole,” said Mr. Mollet, “However, for many adults in the room, this was a poignant moment, one that has resonance, as it created ripples in our lives.”

“The focus of our time together this morning is hopefully to better understand how being selfless and putting others first, we can ourselves be everyday heroes,” he continued, touching on the day’s unofficial theme.

Student body president Charlie London ‘25 also spoke of the virtues of everyday heroism in his remarks. “On this day, we remember the thousands of great people who risked their lives to save and help others,” he said, “These heroes put complete strangers ahead of themselves.” In so doing, he continued, they embodied the school’s core values of courage, compassion, and integrity.

The assembly featured a clip from a 60 Minutes special on the New York Fire Department’s response to 9/11. The harrowing video showed footage of the second plane striking the South Tower of the World Trade Center, an image that still hits hard more than twenty years later. It also showed interviews with Firefighters who were present that day.

“We’ve wept now two decades for the loss of innocent life,” said Headmaster Chris Post, who addressed the audience at the end of the assembly, “We’ve wept for ordinary citizens who did extraordinary things for total strangers.”

To close the day’s proceedings, Headmaster Chris Post played Bruce Springsteen’s song “The Rising,” which debuted in 2002 and was inspired by the events of 9/11. The song, he explained, is told from the perspective of a New York City firefighter climbing the stairs of the tower to rescue those trapped above.

Several times in his remarks, Mr. Post returned to the words “promise and hope.” He ended with a call to action.

“What will you do to make our community, our nation, and our world a better place?” Mr. Post asked the audience, “In fulfilling that promise that each of you has, you are a hope for our school, for our community.”