Photo by Kelli Gile, courtesy of Walnut Valley Unified

Wearing patriotic colored clothing, South Pointe Middle School students and staff were joined by Walnut firefighters Tom Fahrny and Jim Berklite from Station #119 to remember the “defining moment in our nation,” said Principal Susan Arzola.

After the flag salute, 7th grader Ariana Gonzales sung the National Anthem, then the group of over 1,000 stood in reflection for a moment of silence.

“Heroes were born that day. And from that tragedy our nation grew stronger. Today’s program makes September 11 an important day in our own history,” Arzola said.