Twenty-five years after the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, Colonie Central High School hosted a remembrance ceremony at the Hill of Heroes.

Led by Executive Principal Bill Behrle, the ceremony honored the nearly 3,000 lives lost through remarks, a poem, and a chorus performance of the National Anthem. Central to the tribute, was the participation of CCHS student volunteer firefighters, who laid flowers on the Hill of Heroes to honor the fallen. The entire school marked a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., and at three other moments throughout the school day, with the event livestreamed into classrooms to ensure all students could participate.

“I, just like some of you are now, was a high school senior at the time, and remember feeling the uncertainty of what was happening. We sat in our classrooms watching a world we thought we understood shift in a matter of hours,” said Behrle. “The other half is what happened on September 12th, and in the weeks and months that followed. What has stayed with me all these years later, was how people came together in the days that followed with courage, compassion, and resilience.” 

"Twenty-five years later, remembering September 11th is no longer just about preserving a memory for those who lived it; it is about building a bridge of understanding for a generation born after,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Perry. “To teach about 9/11 today is to show young minds that out of profound heartbreak, humanity can choose resiliency and an unwavering commitment to hope.”

Local lawmakers and area first responders also attended the ceremony. Firefighters and trucks from the Fuller Road, Colonie Village, Midway, and West Albany Fire Departments lined the grounds, adding a supportive presence to the solemn program.