ADAMS TWP — The Mars Area School District's 9/11 memorial is an annual display of remembrance. Featuring a flag for every person who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — 2,977 in total — the memorial is displayed on school property every year on Sept. 11.

School board President Dayle Ferguson's family has maintained the memorial since 2015, when the family before them passed the flag. Now, the Fergusons are passing the flag themselves. The announcement was made at the Aug. 13 board meeting.

“The Mars-Pine-Richland JROTC program is going to continue the tradition,” Ferguson said.

She said the community and district have supported the program in the four years her family has overseen the project. They were prepared to continue the responsibility even after their youngest child graduated high school this year. Ferguson is happy to see JROTC take over.

“We firmly believe ... that this should be student-led,” Ferguson said.

Pine-Richland JROTC Chief Mike Gasparetto said there are 112 students — 24 of whom are from Mars Area — enrolled in the JROTC program. Mars Area joined the program last year. According to Gasparetto, the mission of JROTC is to “develop citizens of character.” Operating the memorial is an opportunity to do that.

“I hope to foster a better understanding about what led up to 9/11 in the hopes we never forget and allow it to happen again,” Gasparetto told the Eagle.

Ferguson reminded the public the attacks predate the majority of the district's student body. She estimates about half of the 2020 senior class was born in 2001.

“It is more important than ever that the tradition stay alive,” Ferguson said.

“Having an active role in any type of 9/11 ceremony is important,” Gasparetto said. “Having a part in this ceremony will create an awareness that might have never happened otherwise.”

Ferguson said her family will donate the flags for the memorial and will be available to offer advice, if it's sought.

“Thank you and your family for continuing that commission,” Diann Metal — a Mars Area mother whose son is completing boot camp — said Aug. 13.

“It was our honor,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson praised Pine-Richland JROTC for upholding the memorial's traditions.

“(It) serves as a symbol of sacrifice and commitment and patriotism,” Ferguson said. “Hopefully, it will be an annual reminder to reflect, to remember, and importantly, to educate so our country ... will never, ever forget.”