Old Orchard Beach athletic fields rededicated on 9/11

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the athletic fields at Loranger Memorial School in Old Orchard Beach were rededicated.

The athletic space, which serves grades 3-8, was given the name “Freedom Fields” on Sept. 11, 2002 during a ceremony involving students and community members.

School board member Donna Moutsatsos spoke at the original ceremony in 2002 when she was a faculty member in Old Orchard Beach. She spoke to Superintendent of Schools John Suttie last spring and brought to his attention that the naming of the fields was never memorialized with a sign.

A plan was then put together to hold a ceremony this year on Sept. 11 and to unveil a sign that identified the playing spaces. Superintendent Suttie led off with an introduction that described what occurred on 9/11.

“September 11 was a horrific day — we lost almost 3,000 Americans, including the heroic members of Flight 93 who saved countless lives, and first responders who raced up smoke-filled stairs in downtown Manhattan,” he said. “Many of us who were old enough to remember that day will never forget what we saw and the sadness we felt.”

Old Orchard Beach High school students then played the National Anthem while a flag was raised to half staff in honor of the victims of 9/11/01. High school student Emily Simpson played TAPS which was followed by a moment of silence.

Moutsatsos acknowledged the ceremony held in 2002.

“Remember that these fields are named Freedom Fields, and this space will be the place where we show our appreciation for those who died and all those that risks their lives every day to assure us that we will wake up every morning safe and free. Always appreciate the freedom we have and the reason for the name of these fields,” she said.

Suttie then joined Moutsatsos in unveiling the new sign to the applause of the students and attendees.