Project Blue Eagle Students Commemorate 9/11

Project Blue Eagle Students 9-11
Shawnee Mission School District

Dressed in full firefighting gear, Project Blue Eagle students honored the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11 at the World Trade Center.

The students walked 343 yards on the football field located near Westridge Middle School. They placed an image of one honored firefighter on each hash mark of the field. As they walked to a hash mark the students called out the firefighter's name and position.

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As someone training to be a first responder, it was meaningful to participate in this observance, said Anthony Felkins, SM Northwest senior. 

“When I was in middle school we always talked about and learned about the events of 9/11,” Felkins added. ““I think it is important to show our respect.”

Once all 343 firefighters had been recognized, the class filed into the bleachers and observed a moment of silence while looking over the field. One of the goals of the exercise was to help students gain deeper understanding of the “dedication, courage, and bravery” of first responders, Peter Bailes, Project Blue Eagle instructor said.

“As a staff, we were looking for a way to impress on our students the magnitude of this tragedy and to honor the men and women firefighters who gave their lives,” he said.