Maricopa High School stood solemn and still this morning.
The city came together in memoriam of the 2,977 people who died in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon exactly 22 years ago.
Leading the way, Senior Aerospace Science Instructor Allen Kirksey directed a poignant tribute by the Air Force Junior ROTC. The flag, bold and proud, briefly soared before lowering to half-staff.
Students not old enough to remember the tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001, stood proudly in formation, still moved by its gravity.
Distinguished guests, including Maricopa City Councilmen Eric Goettl, Rich Vitello and Vincent Manfredi, alongside representatives from the Maricopa Police Department, gathered to join Mayor Nancy Smith.
Notably, Maricopa Fire Department Chief Brad Pitassi and Christopher Bolinger were present too, together paying homage to the fallen.
Their presence symbolized unity and a lasting commitment to remembrance.
Take a look at our photo gallery here:
1 of 44
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, Allen Kirksey, Offers a Warm Greeting to MFD Chief Brad Pitassi During 9/11 Commemorative Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS). Photo taken September 11th, 2023. [Bryan Mordt]
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, Allen Kirksey, Offers a Warm Greeting to MFD Chief Brad Pitassi During 9/11 Commemorative Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS). Photo taken September 11th, 2023. [Bryan Mordt]
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
9/11 Ceremony: Eric Goettl, joined by fellow city councilman Vincent Manfredi, shake hands at Maricopa High School (MHS) alongside the Rams. This moment of unity and remembrance is part of the tribute to the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt]
Honoring 9/11: City Councilman Eric Goettl participates in a solemn ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) with the Rams. The event is a poignant tribute to the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt]
Honoring 9/11: City Councilman Eric Goettl participates in a solemn ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) with the Rams. The event is a poignant tribute to the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt]
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
Remembering 9/11: Air Force Junior ROTC Holds Solemn Flag Ceremony at Maricopa High School (MHS) to Honor the Memory of the Tragic Day. The MHS Rams pay their respects and show their commitment to never forget the events of September 11th. [Bryan Mordt
9/11 Tribute: Mayor Nancy Smith, joined by Brad Pitassi and Christopher Bolinger of Maricopa Fire Department, makes their way to the 9/11 ceremony at Maricopa High School. [Bryan Mordt]
9/11 Tribute: Mayor Nancy Smith, joined by Brad Pitassi and Christopher Bolinger of Maricopa Fire Department, makes their way to the 9/11 ceremony at Maricopa High School. [Bryan Mordt]
![City Manager Ben Bitter speaks during a Chamber of Commerce event at Global Water Resources on April 11, 2024. Bitter discussed the current state of economic development in Maricopa, as well as hinting at lowering property tax rates again. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/spencer-041124-ben-bitter-chamber-property-taxes-web-218x150.jpg "City gave new manager big low-interest home loan")
![Phoenix police stop a stolen vehicle on April 20, 2024. [Facebook]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5040-218x150.jpg "Alleged car thief released without charges")
Gives me hope. We still have some young people who love our Country.