Beaufort Academy high schoolers remember 9/11

BEUAFORT, S.C. (WTOC) - Thursday, Beaufort Academy high schoolers placed around 3,000 small American flags on the school’s front lawn in remembrance of those died, including civilians, firefighters, law enforcement and military personnel.

Lower school students lined a fence at the school with 200 flags for people driving by to see.

The touching tribute has been a tradition at the school for years. It started when a parent donated flags in 2004.

The history teacher says his lessons around the anniversary date are focused on the terrorist attack. He wants his students to continue learning how 9/11 impacted the country then and still do to this day.

“Seeing and analyzing the events of 9/11 and the response to 9/11,” said David Byrne, history teacher. “Making connections to the conflict today that still exists between Gaza and Isreal. And then also, just the unity of our country on that day and the preceding months.”

Colton Stinger, a senior at the school, has participated in the tradition since his freshman year. While he wasn’t around to witness the tragic event, he learned in school how it shaped the country.

“It’s not just laying flags,” said Stinger. “It’s more than that. It’s showing our appreciation for the lives lost—3,000 civilians around and 400 service members.”

Next year is the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attack.

Beaufort Academy history teacher David Byrne says he wants to come up with additional ways to mark that day with help from his students.