ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
Aspen Jaramillo was 2 years old when the events now etched in minds across America took place Sept. 11, 2001, and she said much of what she has learned about the tragic day comes from her early days in school.
“Growing up and going through elementary school, my teachers would always take about 30 minutes on the anniversary day to discuss the events of 9/11,” she said. “They would always answer any questions we had and helped us to remember the importance of why we remember the fallen.”
Jaramillo, who is now a music teacher at Liberal’s Cottonwood Elementary, said because of this, her interest and knowledge of 9/11 has grown, and she can now pass that knowledge on to her students as part of the school’s annual Patriot Day observance.
This Sept. 11, Cottonwood will once again host its salute to military and first responders, and Jaramillo said students have a number of patriotic songs prepared for police officers, firefighters, paramedics, the men and women of the armed forces and all of the people who tragically lost their lives on 9/11.
Jaramillo said honoring all of these men and women is a privilege for both her and her students. With Sept. 11 coming near the start of the school year, planning for Patriot Day is fast, and she said when school starts in August, she immediately begins working with her students on songs for the program.
Jaramillo said with each year, students understand the fast pace of planning Patriot Day, but it is still an honor for them to do it.
“The students truly have big hearts, and it definitely shows,” she said. “They are nervous because they want to do their best, but are excited to sing for everyone. It means a lot to them.”
Cottonwood’s Patriot Day was started in 2003, not long after 9/11, by former music teacher Becky Robison. Jaramillo, who is now in her third year of coordinating the event, said her first year saw her relying much on Robison.
“She helped me with whatever I needed and showed me how to do everything,” she said.
With two years now under her belt, Jaramillo said she finds herself preparing for Patriot Day on her own, but she is grateful for Robison’s help nonetheless.
“I’m thankful Becky is just a phone call away if I need help with anything,” she said.
With most of what she knows about 9/11 being from her days as a student and now as a teacher, Jaramillo said Patriot Day still means much to her, and she said it is an honor to sing for men and women in uniform and thank them for their service.
“It makes me proud of my students as well,” she said. “They work so hard right from the beginning of the school year, and I hope we put a smile on the first responders’ and soldiers’ faces.”
Cottonwood’s Patriot Day event will start at 930 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the parking lot of the school at 1100 W. 11th Street.
