A small group of Mentor Schools and city officials, firefighters, police officers, teachers, students and citizens gathered for a brief ceremony Friday morning at Mentor High School to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

While bagpipers from the Mentor Fire Department, Mike Smith and Dominic Vivolo, played "Amazing Grace," Mentor High School's flag was lowered to half-staff to honor of the victims of 9/11.

The crowd moved into the high school's lobby to dedicate an encased American flag that was installed on the school's Wall of Freedom.

Like most Americans, Mentor Schools Superintendent Jacqueline Hoynes clearly remembers Sept. 11, 2001.

"I was the principal at Memorial Middle School at that time and it was so frightening and so surreal," said Hoynes. "I think it is good to remember, even though it is with great sadness. But we should also remember with great pride that there are great people who live in our country and what our country stands for."

Mentor High School Prinicipal Bill Wade thanked the crowd for attending the ceremony.

"I know as the son of a fire chief from Lansing, MI, and a grandson of a fire-police officer, (Sept. 11) brings back memories of service," said Wade. "I know our police officers and firefighters put their lives on the line everyday to make sure we have a safe environment to come to school and learn and that they keep our city and country safe."

Mentor High School's 9/11 observance was coordinated by Mentor teacher Jaclyn Gilbert and students from her social studies class.