Submitted by FHS Senior Army Instructor retired Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Moore
On Thursday, September 11, 2025, Franklin High School’s Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Admiral Battalion held its annual 9/11 ceremony at the school’s flagpole.
The event brought together cadets, faculty, parents and community leaders in solemn remembrance of the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001.
“It is inspiring to see our JROTC cadets leading with such maturity and purpose,” said WCS Superintendent Jason Golden. “This ceremony is a reminder that while September 11 is a painful chapter in our history, it is also a lesson in courage, resilience and unity. I am proud of how Franklin High School honors that legacy each year.”
Among the highlights of the morning was a powerful address delivered by Cadet Lieutenant Colonel James Land, Battalion Commander.
Land’s speech resonated deeply with all in attendance, weaving together the past, present and future of America. He began by honoring the past, recalling the sacrifice and bravery shown on that fateful day in 2001. He spoke of the first responders who rushed into danger, the service members who answered the call of duty and the ordinary citizens who demonstrated extraordinary courage. His words reminded everyone that the price of freedom is steep and that the legacy of those we lost must never fade from memory.
Turning to the present, Land challenged his peers and the Franklin High community to live with purpose, gratitude and unity. He emphasized that remembrance is not passive but an active responsibility carried out in classrooms, on athletic fields, in families and throughout the community. Finally, he cast a vision for the future, reminding his classmates that they are the next generation of leaders entrusted with America’s future.
The ceremony was enriched by the music of the Franklin High School Band under the direction of Dr. Perry Holland and Nicholas Blue, whose contributions provided dignity and inspiration.
The annual 9/11 ceremony at Franklin High continues to serve as a living classroom for cadets and students alike. It is a moment where history, service and leadership converge, reminding all in attendance of the enduring values that define America.
As the Admiral Battalion continues to model leadership, service and unity, Land’s speech will be remembered as a defining moment and an example of how today’s cadets are preparing to become tomorrow’s leaders of character.
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