PSJA ISD holds 9/11 memorial, recognizes survivor

PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District hosted a memorial event for 9/11 Wednesday morning.

Local service members spoke beside 9/11 survivor Sergeant Major Clifford Lovejoy on the 23rd anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

PSJA Superintendent Alejandro Elias explained that it still feels like yesterday for many people, but that it is now history for students born after 2001.

He emphasized how important it is for the next generation to honor those who gave their lives helping others.

“From our fire department, our police department, DPS, we have other state representatives here and again it’s to commemorate and to make sure that our students learn from that, and that the students get to pick up on the historical event that it was."

They said many lives were saved that day, but that many like Sergeant Major Lovejoy are still suffering mental and physical trauma from the attack.

Multiple students said they left with profound respect and sadness for those fateful first responders.