HEIDELBERG — Students in the East Jasper School District remembered those who lost their lives eight years ago during what has become known as 9-11.

The America Reads Mississippi group of William J. Berry Elementary in Heidelberg hosted “The National Day of Service and Remembrance” Friday.

The program was designed to remember the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks that occurred on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and the crash of United Airlines Flight number 93.

A brief program was held inside the school followed by the release of balloons in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the attacks, which were a series of coordinated suicide attacks upon the United States.

Patricia Jones reminded and informed the elementary students that on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners. The hijackers intentionally crashed two of the airliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, killing everyone on board and many others working in the buildings. The hijackers crashed a third airliner into the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., just outside of Washington, D.C. The fourth plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania, after some of its passengers and flight crew attempted to retake control of the plane, which the hijackers had redirected toward Washington, D.C. There were no survivors from any of the flights.

In total 2,993 people, including the hijackers, died in the attacks. The overwhelming majority of casualties were civilians.

“We remember those who lost their lives and we also honor those volunteers who worked and helped those who were in desperate need,” Jones said.

Tonia Cooley with WJBES’ America Reads group — which includes Cooley, Jones, Katherine Rich and Curtistina Hardy — said the program was designed to inform students about the events of that day eight years ago.

WJBES Principal Dr. Nadene Arrington said the infamous day was revealing.

“It showed that no matter how strong we thought we were, evil was able to enter in,” she said. “Even when tragedy occurs, you find or discover new strength.”

Several community leaders also attended the event and encouraged the young people to remember the day by preparing for their future.

“9-11 was a very special day that we will never forget,” said Lt. Chris Sargent with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department. “We need to realize how blessed we are to be here today.”

Heidelberg Mayor Juan Barnett agreed.

“It was a sad day. It was troubled times for us,” he said. “We were invaded by our enemies.

“You, as young people are also being invaded by your enemies,” he continued. “Your enemies are those who don’t want you to succeed.”