As the nation pauses to reflect on the unimaginable loss and countless acts of heroism displayed during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Southwestern Pennsylvania, students at J.E.J. Moore Middle School were able to learn about the devastating attacks and their lasting impact through video and physically seeing a piece of one of the fallen World Trade Center towers in their classroom.

As part of Moore Middle School social studies teacher Mr. Davis' lesson on the September 11 attacks, he showed his students a piece of steel, referred to as Artifact N-131, that formed a portion of an exterior column that supported floors 92 through 95 of the North Tower of the World Trade Center - struck first by American Airlines Flight 11 at 8:46 a.m.

The piece of steel showed the damage from the impact and the resulting fire inside the North Tower. 102 minutes after the impact, the North Tower would collapse at 10:28 a.m., following the earlier collapse of the South Tower at 9:59 a.m. after being struck by United Airlines Flight 175.

The artifact was provided by the Freedom Flag Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed to establish the Freedom Flag as a national symbol of remembrance for September 11, 2001, and to support educational efforts that teach future generations about the tragic events and the many lives lost on that day. Thanks to the Foundation, Mr. Davis was able to display the steel segment in his classroom, along with a Freedom Flag, which the students learned has origins in Central Virginia.

^{A piece of the World Trade Center's North Tower is displayed in Mr. Davis' social studies class at J.E.J. Moore Middle School during his lesson on the attacks. (PGCPS Photo)}

Sketched by Richard Melito in his Richmond restaurant on September 20, 2001, with the intention of being a symbol of remembrance and triumph for his patrons, the Freedom Flag became the state's official symbol of remembrance sixteen months later, honoring the victims and heroes of 9/11 through an Executive Order by then-Governor Mark Warner.

While the Freedom Flag flew at half-staff in the wind on Thursday, students in Mr. Davis' social studies class learned about the meaning of each element contained within the flag of remembrance.

• Blue Background: All Americans united together for freedom
• Top Red Stripe: The bloodshed of those who perished at the Pentagon, and the crew and passengers on American Airlines Flight 77
• Two Broad Stripes: The Twin Towers and the bloodshed of the people who perished at the World Trade Center and on American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175
• Three White Stripes: The rescue workers, firefighters, police officers, Port Authority employees, and others who worked tirelessly during and after the terrorist attacks
• Bottom Red Stripe: The bloodshed of the crew and passengers who perished on United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania
• Five White Bars: The Pentagon and the organized protection of our freedom
• White Star: All who lived and died for freedom

The activity culminated with students viewing interviews from those who witnessed and lived through the attacks, along with viewing historical materials through the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City.

For more information about the Freedom Flag Foundation, visit their website at https://www.freedomflagfoundation.org.