Members of the Valparaiso Fire Department honor guard escort Cooks Corners Elementary fifth graders back to school following a Sept. 11th observance and the First Responders Tribune Garden Tuesday Sept. 11, 2012. The students sang God Bless America as part of the program. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

Police officers and firefighters salute as Cooks Corners Elementary fifth graders leave the September 11th observance at the First Responders Tribute Garden in Valparaiso Tuesday Sept. 11, 2012. Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

Cooks Corners elementary fifth graders listen to their principal speak of the events of Sept. 11, 2001 during an observance ceremony at First Responders Tribute Garden in Valparaiso Tuesday Sept. 11, 2012. The students sang God Bless America during the ceremony. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

Members of the Valparaiso fire department pause during a moment of silence at the Sept. 11 observance at First Responders Tribute Garden Tuesday Sept. 11, 2012. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

An American flag flies at half as members of the public pause during the playing of Taps at the Sept. 11 observance at First Responders Tribute Garden in Valparaiso Tuesday Sept. 11, 2012. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

Valparaiso firefighter/paramedic Stephanie Hart salutes the flag while serving with the honor guard during the Sept. 11 observation in Valparaiso Tuesday Sept. 11, 2012. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

Cooks Corners elementary fifth graders sing God Bless America during the Sept. 11 observance at First Responders Tribute Garden in Valparaiso Tuesday Sept. 11, 2012. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

Firefighters and police officers pause during a moment of silence at the Sept. 11th observance at First Responders Tribute Garden in Valparaiso Tuesday Sept. 11, 2012. Members of the public gathered with emergency personnel and local politicians to honor the memory of those who died as a direct result of the attacks and in the wars that followed. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media