To a gymnasium of students, first responders, veterans and other members of the public, K-12 Legacy Christian Academy on Wednesday recalled the events of 9/11, commemorated those who died responding to the attacks and honored local first responders and veterans.

With more than 100 attendees, the hourlong event featured remarks from Warren County Judge-Executive Doug Gorman and local first responders as well as a student-performed reenactment of the aftermath of 9/11 and song of gratitude. It showcased patriotism and Christian values, with an emphasis on serving others and being diligent.

It was the academy’s first in-person commemoration of 9/11 since the COVID pandemic. Sandy Kubasch, the sixth-grade teacher who organized Wednesday’s event, spoke to its importance.

“I want my kids to always remember,” Kubasch, referring to her students, told the Daily News. “I’m on the tail-end of my teaching career, so I want to go out with the kids knowing everything I can give them. 

“The history books still don’t say a whole lot about this. The world seems to forget so quick what a time that was.”

After the crowd recited the pledge and sang “God Bless America,” the judge-executive recalled when two planes struck the World Trade Center and killed around 3,000 U.S. residents. He honored the 343 firefighters and more than 70 police officers who died responding to the fire.

“(Firefighters) knew their fellow man was in trouble, and they put their uniform on, turned their sirens on, and took off going to those towers to save people’s lives,” Gorman said.

He added that if the alarm went off locally, the first responders in the room would similarly drive to danger to protect community members.

He also honored the military who went overseas in response to 9/11, naming First Lt. Robert Henderson II, whom Gorman said was the first Warren Countian to die in the war.

Similarly commemorating those who died, Franklin Fire Department Deputy Chief Nelson Slaughter noted that similar to the role of firefighters, but on a lesser scale, community members can help those in need.

“Today, we remember what happened on 9/11 to honor those who were lost and to celebrate the heroes who stepped up,” he said. “It’s a time to think about how we can all be brave and kind in our own ways, whether it’s helping a friend, standing up for what’s right or simply being there for each other.”

A small group of students reenacted the aftermath of 9/11 – from one student speaking as Lady Liberty, to students delivering news as anchors, to one presenting former President George W. Bush speaking to the public after 9/11.

Ronnie Ward, public information officer for the Bowling Green Police Department, recalled seeing the news of the 9/11 crashes and asking himself how they could happen.

“I did not even understand all the events that led to that day – but I’ll tell you, what I did understand is that there were a lot of brave men and women who didn’t understand either, and they went and did what they needed to do,” Ward said. “They ran towards those buildings, even after looking up and seeing that horrific fire and debris falling, and to think, ‘That’s where I need to go.’ ”

He reaffirmed Gorman’s statement that the first responders in the room would leave to protect community members if the alarm went off.

“As you go through your life, think about ways that you can serve others … Don’t let your mind limit on how you can be an asset to your community; don’t let your mind limit on how you can be a help to those around you,” he said. “That’s where you put your first thought … in someone else, and not in you.”

Legacy Christian Academy Principal Jerry Gifford recalled hearing as a child that his father would soon return home from the Vietnam War. It made him more diligent, from cleaning his room to taking out the trash.

But as weeks passed, and the arrival was delayed, that diligence began to wane – until the day his dad returned.

“At midnight, the light flipped on. I was on the top bunk in a small room, and there’s my dad – there’s my dad. He’s my hero,” he said. “And I remember thinking, I wish I continued to be as diligent as I was the first day.”

Gifford said that with the return of Jesus ahead, people should be diligent.

“I couldn’t go fight in the war, but I could make my bed, I could do my homework, I could help around the house,” he said. “Being diligent about the thing that you’re called to do or you’re supposed to do is what makes heroes.”

First responders and veterans were called to the front, where dozens of students met them with a song of thanks and shook their hands.