R-MA Patriot Day Ceremony 2014
by Jonathan Pederson ’15
It’s difficult to believe the strikes on 9/11 occurred 13 years ago. To this day, many of us remember that day vividly, and it is important to do so. Randolph-Macon Academy remembered that day again in their 2014 Patriot Day Ceremony. As representatives of Warren County, parents, friends and guests of the Randolph-Macon Academy family, including parents, faculty and staff members, and cadets, gathered together, a solemn silence enveloped the campus.
Though few cadets were old enough to remember the events of that day, all cadets understood their importance. As Social Studies Department Chairperson Brian Barbour spoke in his speech during the ceremony, “The events of September 11, 2001, have forever shaped who we are, how we live our daily lives and what we believe in.” Mr. Barbour continued to explain, “The most fitting memorial that we can truly leave to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 is not etched in glass, or etched on a brick, or etched on a plaque that shall be hung from a wall, but etched in our hearts and in our souls as we continue to move forward in the pursuit of happiness and liberty for all.”
The ceremony also included a flag-raising, the National Anthem sung by Eva Bogdewic ‘16 and Alice Gong ‘16, a Bible reading by R-MA Chaplain Josh Orndorff, a 21-gun salute by the R-MA Honor Guard, Taps, and the presentation of a wreath at the base of the flag pole.
Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA), founded in 1892, is a college-preparatory, coeducational day and boarding school for students in grades 6 through 12. Students in grades 9-12 participate in R-MA’s 91st Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and have the option to participate in a unique flight program. R-MA is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is located in Front Royal, VA.
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