Groton Events To Remember September 11

Submarine Veterans Groton will hold an honor ceremony 8:30 a.m. today at the National Submarine Veterans Memorial East at Thames and Bridge streets in Groton to recognize September 11.

"It's important that we stop and remember," said John Carcioppolo, base commander for Submarine Veterans Groton base. "(Because of) the extensive loss of life. It's just as important as Pearl Harbor day. . . because of the major impact on so many people, and the attack on our country."

Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Technical High School will also hold an hour-long ceremony at 7:30 a.m. at the school.

Sean McKenna, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said all Groton schools will observe a moment of silence, though it may be handled differently at the elementary schools. Some children have parents deployed to the Middle East, he said.

"The principals are trying to be careful so as not to raise any anxiety," McKenna said.

At Cutler Middle School, student teacher Ed Kolnaski said he'll discuss 9/11 during an instructional block where he teaches current events.

"These students, they were babies (on 9/11), maybe 2 or 3. So it's history to them," he said. Kolnaski said he wants to put the event in context so students understand the loss, the anger directed at the United States and world history like colonialism, the breakup of Middle East states and the first Gulf War.

In addition, students will watch a 60 Minutes interview with the Navy SEAL involved in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.