Stand2Serve is dedicated to serving our police, fire, military and veterans in our area with live events honoring their service and sacrifice for our nation. We promote events and service projects across Warren County to foster understanding and strengthen community based on timeless ideals of liberty and justice and serving others for the greater good. Events like this year’s 20th Anniversary of 9/11 Remembrance and our “Share the Light” campaign are the vehicle by which we inspire our next generation of citizens, leaders, poets and artists in our schools to engage in our remembrances. Our young people inspire us as a community with their generous acts of community service and their beautiful creations of art, poetry and sculpture. Our next generations' creation of art and their participation with us in our community events are our gift to our first responders, military, veterans who serve our community. Stand2Serve and the talented Digital Media students at The Warren County Career Center are working together to create a digital and physical compilation of our 20th Anniversary of 9/11 Remembrance as a lasting gift of our appreciation and gratitude. Join us in our "Share the Light" as we engage in future community service projects, share our gifts and talents, and create more honoring events to bless others.
Visit #Sharethelightwarrencounty to view acts of kindness and service across our community and to include your own.
Visit #Sharethelightwarrencounty to view acts of kindness and service across our community and to include your own.
We respect your privacy and will not sell your information.
9/11 Remembrance, 2021
20th Anniversary
9/11 Remembrance, 2020
9/11 Remembrance, 2019
Each year the community of Warren County and our local fire, law enforcement, military and veterans gather on the morning of September 11 at the county 9/11 Memorial to reflect upon the great sacrifice and loss our nation experienced from the terror attacks carried out on that tragic day in 2001. Over 3,000 innocent lives were lost when terrorists hijacked 4 passenger jets and struck our hearts.
Eighteen years later, our next generation of young people from Kings, Lebanon and Springboro High Schools join us in remembering 9/11. Our students created the original artwork, poems and insights as an honoring memory of the courage, service and unity that came out of that day. The fourth grade class of Donovan Elementary also sang the beautiful lyrics of “We Remember” on the morning of our 9/11 Remembrance.
We recognize the generosity of our local students. They donated many of these thoughtful pieces of artwork to our local first responders for them to remember that there is hope. That they will never forget.
Our next generation inspires us to do better, to be better.
May we never forget.
Eighteen years later, our next generation of young people from Kings, Lebanon and Springboro High Schools join us in remembering 9/11. Our students created the original artwork, poems and insights as an honoring memory of the courage, service and unity that came out of that day. The fourth grade class of Donovan Elementary also sang the beautiful lyrics of “We Remember” on the morning of our 9/11 Remembrance.
We recognize the generosity of our local students. They donated many of these thoughtful pieces of artwork to our local first responders for them to remember that there is hope. That they will never forget.
Our next generation inspires us to do better, to be better.
May we never forget.
Artwork from Kings High School
The students of Kings High School were inspired by the unity of September 12, 2001.
Poetry by Kings High School Students
Remembrance
By Sarah Dykhuizen
I can’t remember
a time when I didn’t
see the grey smoke,
on the grey buildings,
on the grey streets,
with grey suits,
and grey emotions.
I can’t remember,
and I will never will.
The day predates me.
It has me beat by
584 days,
83 weeks,
14,016 hours,
840,960 minutes,
50,457,600 seconds,
and a culture shift
that should take a lifetime.
No one looks at that date
on the calendar the same.
No one looks at New York’s
iconic skyline the same.
No one looks at the Pentagon
the same respectful way.
No one looks at that field
that same bored way.
Maybe people were
nice after.
Maybe we respect our
fellow neighbor a bit more.
I do know
that the people who ran in
when common sense
told them run the other way,
I know they are heroes.
The country came together
to tell them so.
Maybe, when faced with tragedy,
all everyone needs is a hero.
That’s what made them united.
On September 12th,
when the sun shined again
and everyone needed to find a way
to believe that it was good again.
So, they saw their country,
saw it healing,
and started seeing the
American flag blowing
In that almost Autumn wind.
Maybe, they stood up straighter.
Maybe, for the first time in their life
they knew the home of the brave
was their home too.
Copyrighted 2019 by Sarah Dykhuizen. All rights reserved.
a time when I didn’t
see the grey smoke,
on the grey buildings,
on the grey streets,
with grey suits,
and grey emotions.
I can’t remember,
and I will never will.
The day predates me.
It has me beat by
584 days,
83 weeks,
14,016 hours,
840,960 minutes,
50,457,600 seconds,
and a culture shift
that should take a lifetime.
No one looks at that date
on the calendar the same.
No one looks at New York’s
iconic skyline the same.
No one looks at the Pentagon
the same respectful way.
No one looks at that field
that same bored way.
Maybe people were
nice after.
Maybe we respect our
fellow neighbor a bit more.
I do know
that the people who ran in
when common sense
told them run the other way,
I know they are heroes.
The country came together
to tell them so.
Maybe, when faced with tragedy,
all everyone needs is a hero.
That’s what made them united.
On September 12th,
when the sun shined again
and everyone needed to find a way
to believe that it was good again.
So, they saw their country,
saw it healing,
and started seeing the
American flag blowing
In that almost Autumn wind.
Maybe, they stood up straighter.
Maybe, for the first time in their life
they knew the home of the brave
was their home too.
Copyrighted 2019 by Sarah Dykhuizen. All rights reserved.
9/11 Poem
By Hanna Ballard
tears fell
gasps sounded
pain was felt
as the entirety of the united states population
witnessed the horrific events of
September 11, 2001.
hijacked planes
ripped through towers
tearing through the fabric of america as we knew it.
horror
despair
every horrible emotion rushed through the hole left in the heart of America.
we were expected to crumple
to fold
to become un-united
to allow this event to ruin us.
but no
instead
we all bore the hole
we experienced the same feelings as
our neighbors
our friends
our enemies
our relatives
becoming connected
to each and every person around us.
we related to each other
all of us
for the first time in the american history.
the residents of new york city
rushed outside
and instead of letting the sight crush them
and burn them
and break them
they stood together
and joined figurative hands
and became one.
they watched as first responders
rushed
to save people
exhibiting extreme bravery-
some even sacrificing their lives
for us
for new york city
for their country.
we all witnessed – or heard about – the same thing.
some of us were not alive
during the tragedy
and have only heard stories about it
yet we can still envision the sadness and destruction in our mind
as if we were there.
this event
that was meant to tear us apart
only brought us together
all of us
the people
the first responders
the government
the president
and the hole in the American heart
formed in everyone’s heart
linking us all together
as people of the united states
of democracy
of government by the people, for the people, and of the people
of our home,
a kind nation,
a caring nation
that will always be there for us
for we are
united.
Copyrighted 2019 By Hanna Ballard. All rights reserved.
gasps sounded
pain was felt
as the entirety of the united states population
witnessed the horrific events of
September 11, 2001.
hijacked planes
ripped through towers
tearing through the fabric of america as we knew it.
horror
despair
every horrible emotion rushed through the hole left in the heart of America.
we were expected to crumple
to fold
to become un-united
to allow this event to ruin us.
but no
instead
we all bore the hole
we experienced the same feelings as
our neighbors
our friends
our enemies
our relatives
becoming connected
to each and every person around us.
we related to each other
all of us
for the first time in the american history.
the residents of new york city
rushed outside
and instead of letting the sight crush them
and burn them
and break them
they stood together
and joined figurative hands
and became one.
they watched as first responders
rushed
to save people
exhibiting extreme bravery-
some even sacrificing their lives
for us
for new york city
for their country.
we all witnessed – or heard about – the same thing.
some of us were not alive
during the tragedy
and have only heard stories about it
yet we can still envision the sadness and destruction in our mind
as if we were there.
this event
that was meant to tear us apart
only brought us together
all of us
the people
the first responders
the government
the president
and the hole in the American heart
formed in everyone’s heart
linking us all together
as people of the united states
of democracy
of government by the people, for the people, and of the people
of our home,
a kind nation,
a caring nation
that will always be there for us
for we are
united.
Copyrighted 2019 By Hanna Ballard. All rights reserved.
Lebanon High School
The students of Lebanon High School created a U.S. flag that reflects the virtues and ideals they saw demonstrated in the acts of service and sacrifice on the tragic day of 9/11:
Photos from Ground Zero
John Patrick served in our local law enforcement canine search and rescue with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for thirty years. John and his trusted German Shepherd “Guese” were at Ground Zero in New York City within 48 hours of the terror attacks-- searching for possible survivors and recovering those who perished among the ash, molten steel beams and debris that were once the World Trade Center.
He shares his photographs of what he saw at Ground Zero:
He shares his photographs of what he saw at Ground Zero:
Inspiration
September 11, 2001, was a day of contradictions. A day the nation stood still and watched in horror the destruction, sorrow, and suffering man can bring to another when a heart is filled with hatred and darkness.
This day also illuminated the beauty and nobility of selflessness, sacrifice, courage and hope. Men and women running into, not away from, the burning towers. Ordinary men and women who displayed extraordinary courage and bravery in the face of insurmountable challenges.
This day also illuminated the beauty and nobility of selflessness, sacrifice, courage and hope. Men and women running into, not away from, the burning towers. Ordinary men and women who displayed extraordinary courage and bravery in the face of insurmountable challenges.
The Call
“Shadows of Courage” is our gift of love and compassion to all the precious people who lost their lives and gave their lives in the tragedy and aftermath of 9/11 and those who continue with loss.
Our song gives voice to the suffering and wisdom to the pain.
It is in the selfless acts of compassion, sacrifice and service born from the shadows of destruction that speak of hope and promise.
We must, as a nation, stand together with God and give each other the love, compassion and forgiveness God Himself shows us. The walls of isolation, strife and selfish ambition must come down. Fellowship, unity and love for one another must be our call. We saw this divine love and compassion in the acts of courage on 9/11.
The United States of America was consecrated as one nation under God at President George Washington’s first inauguration and the service at St. Paul’s Chapel by Ground Zero in 1789. The foundation of our country was built on God.
God is our hope. God is our future. God was with our founding fathers at the birth of this great nation. God can deliver us today from our strife and dissension if we turn to Him and follow His path.
God calls us to love and to serve others in their need and distress. We witnessed this obedience in the extraordinary courage and selfless sacrifice made by many on 9/11 and its aftermath.
We must remember the wisdom born from the pain of this day. And walk the same path as these brave souls did before us. Let us stand with God, as “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
That is our future and the hope of America.
Our song gives voice to the suffering and wisdom to the pain.
It is in the selfless acts of compassion, sacrifice and service born from the shadows of destruction that speak of hope and promise.
We must, as a nation, stand together with God and give each other the love, compassion and forgiveness God Himself shows us. The walls of isolation, strife and selfish ambition must come down. Fellowship, unity and love for one another must be our call. We saw this divine love and compassion in the acts of courage on 9/11.
The United States of America was consecrated as one nation under God at President George Washington’s first inauguration and the service at St. Paul’s Chapel by Ground Zero in 1789. The foundation of our country was built on God.
God is our hope. God is our future. God was with our founding fathers at the birth of this great nation. God can deliver us today from our strife and dissension if we turn to Him and follow His path.
God calls us to love and to serve others in their need and distress. We witnessed this obedience in the extraordinary courage and selfless sacrifice made by many on 9/11 and its aftermath.
We must remember the wisdom born from the pain of this day. And walk the same path as these brave souls did before us. Let us stand with God, as “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
That is our future and the hope of America.
Shadows of Courage
By Robin Kiley
Be still my heart,
as I strive to see
a beautiful, still morning
of piercing blue, silent breeze.
Outlines of concrete stood stark
against a striking still sky,
proclaiming man’s power
in boldness and with pride.
The routine and familiar
would be strewn to the side,
when white streaks would scar
many hearts, many lives.
Our eyes would be fixed,
in a trembling pose,
as the smoldering embers
revealed its source.
White clouds of smoke
did violence to the sky,
as man stood confounded,
contemplating the whys.
But the seeds of a deception
forged from hatred and darkened minds
would be made clear to all,
like a veil pulled from our eyes.
The mortal wounds inflicted
on the innocents and their lives
spoke volumes of sacrifice and courage
born on faces and with sighs.
Courage and sacrifice;
Love and faith.
These were the fruits born
from the dust of twisted fate.
The shadows of the lost
live on in our lives.
Courage and sacrifice stand
As victors over lies.
Be quiet my soul!
Take precious wisdom from the pain.
Persevere I must live,
with each and every day.
Share stories of our loves,
and the wisdom of our pains.
These precious gifts we offer
are God’s grace and His way.
Rise we must go
and do God’s will and His deeds.
Serving those who now suffer,
with our love and our tears.
Copyrighted 2016-2019 by Robin Kiley. All rights reserved.
as I strive to see
a beautiful, still morning
of piercing blue, silent breeze.
Outlines of concrete stood stark
against a striking still sky,
proclaiming man’s power
in boldness and with pride.
The routine and familiar
would be strewn to the side,
when white streaks would scar
many hearts, many lives.
Our eyes would be fixed,
in a trembling pose,
as the smoldering embers
revealed its source.
White clouds of smoke
did violence to the sky,
as man stood confounded,
contemplating the whys.
But the seeds of a deception
forged from hatred and darkened minds
would be made clear to all,
like a veil pulled from our eyes.
The mortal wounds inflicted
on the innocents and their lives
spoke volumes of sacrifice and courage
born on faces and with sighs.
Courage and sacrifice;
Love and faith.
These were the fruits born
from the dust of twisted fate.
The shadows of the lost
live on in our lives.
Courage and sacrifice stand
As victors over lies.
Be quiet my soul!
Take precious wisdom from the pain.
Persevere I must live,
with each and every day.
Share stories of our loves,
and the wisdom of our pains.
These precious gifts we offer
are God’s grace and His way.
Rise we must go
and do God’s will and His deeds.
Serving those who now suffer,
with our love and our tears.
Copyrighted 2016-2019 by Robin Kiley. All rights reserved.