Great Mills High School community reunites with first responders at museum's Heroes Day event

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. - The Great Mills High School community reunited with the first responders who protected the campus in the aftermath of the tragic shooting inside the school over a week ago.

The reunion happened at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum's Heroes Day. It is a day that honors police and firefighters who serve southern Maryland. Admission was free on this day for all Great Mills students and staff members. Proceeds from the Heroes Day event went towards the St. Mary's County Advanced Life Support Unit.

The event had a more somber tone this year as the community mourned the loss of 16-year-old student Jaelynn Willey, who was laid to rest on Friday.

"We felt it important to extend an invitation for the students and faculty at Great Mills High School to come out today and be a part of it, to meet the first responders and just really to help the healing within our community," said volunteer firefighter Dan Bramos.

This is the second year the event has taken place in Lexington Park. You can check out posts from the event under the hashtag #PaxMuseumHeroesDay on social media.

The museum encourages young people to pursue careers in science and technology.