SUNBURY — Nicole Burgard remembers being in fourth grade on Sept. 11, 2001, and having no comprehension of the horror she was watching on television.
She thought, "Cool, a plane is going into a building" as passenger planes struck the towers of the World Trade Center.
Classmate Shanee Hay didn't know at the time that a plane had crashed in Pennsylvania.
But they and their fellow members of the Shikellamy High School JROTC Honor Guard say they now have a better appreciation and understanding of the tragic events, especially the heroic actions of the passengers of Flight 93, who fought the terrorists who were taking their plane to Washington, D.C. Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville instead.
Nicole, 17, a senior and cadet lieutenant colonel; Shanee, 17, a senior and cadet captain; Leo Funk, 15, a sophomore and cadet captain; Chase Kirkner, 15, a sophomore and cadet sergeant; and Aaron August, 16, a junior and cadet major; traveled with Shikellamy High School JROTC instructor Lt. Col. Joseph Walsh to Shanksville on Saturday and Sunday to visit the site of the Flight 93 crash.
The high school students used the same words to describe the site "” silent, sad and solemn "” but said they were grateful for the opportunity to visit it.
"I was in awe," said Nicole. "It was amazing."
Shanee said she felt overwhelmed and cried.
Walsh said his students remembered the attacks as a moment when teachers were trying to remain calm and keep them calm during class.
"They didn't realize people were dying, and we were going to war," he said. "...The trip was a humbling experience and awe-inspiring."
"I didn't know what to expect," said Shanee. "I remember it on the news and people talking about it, but I didn't realize what was happening."
The group was invited by the producer of a documentary film attempting to capture the reactions of students, parents and visitors to the site. The documentary is called "A Place of Kindness and Service to Country."
It is the latest production in the series of 16 programs on Shanksville since 2002.
Many visitors leave mementos and trinkets for those who lost their lives. Items numbering in thousands ranged from firefighter helmets and police hats, shoulder patches and insignias to letters, photos, flags and monuments.
"So many people leave so much for the 44 people," Chase said.
The Shikellamy students decided also to leave items at the site as well.
A Shikellamy High School Unit Crest was placed at the site as a symbol of the school and the JROTC program.
Nicole also left behind her Superior Cadet Award and Raider Cord. Walsh left the combat infantry badge he received while fighting in Afghanistan.
"The personal respect and professionalism of these cadets was unmatched by any I have seen in my 22 years of service to my country," Walsh said.
The students were presented with a 9/11 Remembrance Flag by creator Joanne Galvin. She and her late husband, Steve, designed and developed the flag as a tribute to the innocent lives lost on the day, Walsh said.
He plans to conduct a formal raising of the flag to provide a reminder of the day. His ideal time would be an football game at the Shikellamy High School stadium.
"Everybody will be there, students, parents and community members, the opposing team and their community members," he said.
Walsh hopes to continue the trip each year.
The students agreed that they look at the events differently now and realize it needs to be remembered.
"I have a better understanding of what happened," Leo said.
