"It means a lot that people remember": Families honor Eastern Randolph alumni lost on 9/11

Family of United Flight 93 flight attendant honors her legacy at Randolph County alma mater, 25 years after the attacks

WXII

Updated: 12:28 PM EDT Sep 11, 2026

By Jada Kirkland

RAMSEUR, N.C. —

On Friday morning, September 11, 2026, students, faculty and community members gathered inside Eastern Randolph High School's football stadium to honor the lives of three alumni who were killed following the September 11 attacks 25 years ago.

"To keep them alive, we have to talk about it."

Sandy Bradshaw was a flight attendant aboard United Flight 93, enroute to San Francisco, California. Bradshaw was one of nearly 3,000 people who died on that day.

According to the National Park Service, terrorists rerouted the plane to Washington, D.C. Once crew members and passengers learned about the attacks on the World Trade Center, they revolted against the hijackers. The plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. Bradshaw was one of the 44 souls that died as a result.

Bradshaw graduated from Eastern Randolph High School in 1981.

Her sister, Tracey Peele, attended the ceremony, wearing a shirt with Bradshaw's picture on it, showing her in the cockpit of a plane. Peele said she hadn't visited the school, or attended this particular ceremony in years.

"Tears were flowing, but I am so grateful that Eastern Randolph High and Grays Chapel Elementary continue to do a remembrance service. It means a lot that people remember," Peele said.

The ceremony also honored Army Specialist Christopher Bartkiewicz, and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Christopher Phoenix Levy, both of whom died in the line of duty following the attacks.

Lance Corporal Levy graduated from Eastern Randolph High School in 2009.

Levy’s brother, Elijah Sheek, also attended the memorial service, and shared his thoughts on the importance of remembrance.

"To keep them alive, we have to talk about it," Sheek said. "We have to do things to make sure that they stay alive and remembered."

Chris Campbell is the principal of Eastern Randolph High School.

Campbell said he was in high school himself on September 11, 2001.

"Even as we have talked about this ceremony, it's taken me back to when I was sitting in a classroom and our teacher rolled in a TV for us to watch the news," Campbell said.

Now he is reflecting on the significance of teaching students about the events of 9/11, 25 years later.

"I'll never forget that day for the rest of my life. And while our students were not around then, I think it's very important for them to understand that," Campbell said.

The ceremony included a cannon salute, speeches and several tributes in the style of trumpet, dance and and first responder vehicle sirens. The memorial service also included a moment of silence.

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