Skies were blue and sunny over West Limestone High School football stadium Monday, not unlike that morning five years ago when horrified teachers and students watched on classroom TVs as United Flight 175 struck the south tower of the World Trade Center.

On Monday, the school staged a ceremony organized by the junior varsity cheerleaders to observe the fifth anniversary of terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Activities included a moment of silence, flag-raising, playing of the national anthem and “Taps,” and a balloon release.

Teacher Lunetta Reyer thought like most of America that a horrible accident had happened when the first plane, American Airlines Flight 77, struck the north tower at 8:46.

“Everybody had their TV on in their classrooms,” she said. “We were thinking, ‘how in the world could this happen?’ and then we actually saw the second plane hit. I was just devastated. It still sends chill bumps up my arms.”

Reyer along with Stacy Cook are cheerleader sponsors.

“We were just sitting around talking one day about the five-year anniversary coming up and the cheerleaders wanted to do something,” said Reyer. “Several of the fathers of students are stationed overseas. This was something they just felt like they wanted to do.”

Reyer describes herself as a “military brat” who lived in Japan and Germany and was living overseas during the Iran hostage crisis played out in 1980.

“The cheerleaders felt like they wanted to do something that was community minded,” said Reyer. “We talked to the elementary students about it and they got right onboard; they were just so excited.”

On Monday, West Limestone elementary students filed onto the field and high school students filled the bleachers to the solemn cadence of a drum. Leading the way onto the field were kindergarteners who were still in early infancy on Sept. 11, 2001, when the world they were born into just a few short months earlier turned upside down.

Kindergarteners formed an inner circle in the middle of the field as successive grades formed concentric circles around their core. Teachers circulated among them carrying billowing bouquets of red, white and blue balloons.

They distributed some 350 helium-filled balloons. The cheerleaders provided the balloons and ribbons and Athens Welding Supply provided the gas to send them aloft.

Now and then a balloon escaped the clutches of an eager child ahead of time and teachers warned the youngsters to “wrap the ribbon around your hand.”

At exactly 8:46 a.m., Reyer on a PA system, called for a moment of silence and the students hushed.

And then the flag went up. Cheerleaders raised the limp colors to the top of the pole, and then lowered it to half-staff in honor of the lives lost on 9/11. As if on queue, the universe cooperated and a light breeze unfurled the flag as it reached half-staff.

The band struck up the “Star Spangled Banner,” followed by solemn echo “Taps.” Then, students released 350 balloons.

Red, white and blue balloons drifted into sky as children cheered triumphantly.