After a one-year absence, the annual La Crescenta Patriot Day Motorcade returned to the foothills. Announcements were made over the PA to direct students and staff to the front of the school to get to partake in this event once again. This has been a decade-long tradition in La Crescenta meant to thank and recognize the first responders, heroes, and all the victims who lost their lives in the 9/11 tragedy years ago.
Students lined the sidewalks outside of Clark as police cars, fire trucks, and first responders drove by. The energy was high as everyone waved, clapped, and took pictures. Bright and colorful cars rolled past as well, with yellow, red, and blue vehicles catching the students’ attention. Some students even leaned over the sidewalk to get the best view, while others pulled out their phones to record videos of the moment.
For freshmen and sophomores, it was their first time seeing the motorcade. This event was also new to some staff members, including English teacher, Mr. Victor Mejia. “This was a nice event. It was a great way of commemorating and honoring the people who died on September 11,” Mejia said. If nothing else, most students were excited to be out of class with their friends to hang out for a 15-20 minute window before getting back to class. “It felt like this year’s motorcade was shorter than usual. The timing this year was also a bit strange since we left in the middle of class and came back a little later,” senior Liliana Zaroukian said.
Even though students were not born when this tragedy occurred, (current seniors were born 2007-2008 and current freshmen born 2010-2011) being at the motorcade gave everyone a chance to show respect and remembrance to the individuals who lost their lives that day. It also reminds students that remembering history is important, and that even young people can participate in honoring those who sacrificed so much.
