The annual 9/11 memorial at Chesterton High School (CHS)—long loved and appreciated by the community—continues this year, with the planting of 2,977 small flags in the grassy area in front of the athletic stadium on South 11th Street.
Each flag bears the name of a soul lost on Sept. 11, 2001, in the terror attacks against the U.S.
This year’s 9/11 memorial was coordinated by CHS staffer Mary Beth Whitmer with a great deal of help:
- 9/11 Event Manager: Sarah Hackett.
- Duneland Exchange Club: Kim Stahura and Wendy Haas.
- CHS Staff: Bryan Nallenweg, Chris Hackett, and Norm
- DSC Grounds Crew: Kyle Goranson, Nate Napier, Jerry Guess, and Adam Thompson.
- CHS Students: Henry Byrnside, Caden Hackett, Audrey Hopkins, Kaelen Mitchell, Ethan Glassman, Zach Fender, Nick Foust, Madeline Jakel, Lila Miller, Collin Miller, Phoenix Bridegroom, Rob Czarniecki, Devin Throw, and Amelia
- Future CHS Student: Weston Dickey, 2 1/2 years old.
Whitmer expressed her deep gratitude to the Duneland Exchange Club, for help in rehabilitating the flags and printing on each the name of one of the victims. “It’s very labor intensive and they graciously offered their time,” Whitmer said.
“And the DSC grounds crew did a wonderful job of prepping the site for the placement of the flags,” Whitmer added. “They used string lines for a better use of the space. A fireman also stopped just to assist and I don’t know his name. It takes a village.”
Every year since 2007–with the exception of one year during the pandemic—CHS students and staffers have continued the commemoration begun by the O'Keefe Family. Kathleen O’Keefe (CHS Class of 2008) organized the first event as a charter member of the CHS Conservative Club, assisted in part by her sister, Colleen O’Keefe (CHS Class of 2011), and several other volunteers. Together they approached businesses and individuals to fundraise for the purchase of the flags and the Duneland School Corporation to secure permission from the administration. Colleen continued the tradition every year thereafter, planning the event, coordinating volunteers, and liaising with the administration.
In 2012, Kasey O’Keefe (Class of 2015) assumed her sisters’ mantle in turn. Several volunteers gave their time and energy to this memorial, including Kasey’s sister, Hayley O’Keefe, who continued the tradition until her graduation in 2016.
It will remain on display through the end of the school day on Wednesday, Sept. 12.