Watervliet second-graders lead the Pledge of Allegiance at Albany County Courthouse in remembrance of 9/11

Sept. 13, 2012

Watervliet Elementary School teacher Maria Geene’s second grade class was invited to the Third District Court in Albany to lead the 9/11 memorial service in the Pledge of Allegiance on Tuesday.

The second-graders were part of the service on Tuesday, Sept. 11 organized by the New York State Unified Court System to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York City and to honor three fellow court officers who died that day. According to a Times Union report, the ceremony paid tribute to “three heroic court officers who lost their lives in the rescue efforts: Sgt. Thomas Jurgens, Capt. William Harry Thompson and Sgt. Mitchel Wallace.”

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Principal Terri O’Brien and Mrs. Geene received the following e-mails praising the second-grade class:

“I just wanted to let you know that my husband attended the 9/11 Memorial Service yesterday at the Albany County Court House and the first thing he said when he got home was, ‘the second graders from Watervliet Elementary School did an excellent job leading The Pledge of Allegiance.’ It is always so nice to hear positive things about our Watervliet students. Please let the teacher/teachers know that they left a positive impression on the community yesterday.” — Watervliet Junior-Senior High School staff member whose spouse was present at the event

“Thank you sooooooo much! The kids were awesome.” — Albany County Courthouse staffer

“Thanks so much for bringing your second grade class to the Albany county courthouse today.
The kids added a special effect to the program.” — Albany County Courthouse staffer