Lumberton schools' 9/11 tribute performance video goes viral

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Lumberton High School's cheerleading squad performed a tribute routine for the 14th anniversary of 9/11
Cheer was posted online and has been viewed more than 20million times
Performance included news reports from September 11 and audio of President Bush speaking in the wake of the attacks
Some viewers said Texas squad's routine was 'tasteless' & 'cringeworthy'
But others thought it was 'amazing' and said it gave them goosebumps

Published: 19:51 EST, 13 September 2015 | Updated: 06:13 EST, 14 September 2015

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A high school cheerleading squad's 9/11 tribute performance has polarized opinion online after footage of the routine went viral.

The cheer was posted on the internet on the 14th anniversary of the September 11 attacks as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives.

And while some viewers have taken it in the spirit it was intended, others have branded the performance - viewed more than 20million times - 'tasteless' and 'cringeworthy'.

Tasteless? A high school cheerleading squad have polarized opinion online after a video of their 9/11 tribute performance went viral

The cheer was posted on the internet on the 14th anniversary of the September 11 attacks as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives

The cheerleaders are seen performing their routine to God Bless the USA as audio from the first news reports of the attacks on that fateful day 14 years ago is played

The cheerleaders are seen performing their routine to God Bless the USA as audio from the first news reports of the attacks on that fateful day 14 years ago is played.

The cheer also features the words of President Bush, speaking following the deaths of almost 3,000 innocent Americans after two hijacked passenger planes crashed into two World Trade Center towers in New York, another jet struck the Pentagon and a fourth crashed in a Pennsylvania field.

Cheerleaders are then seen tumbling, flipping and throwing each other into the air before unfurling a US flag and spelling out the word 'USA' with tinsel.

Lumberton High School's cheerleading squad have performed a tribute routine every year since 2002 and take it 'very seriously', their coach said.

But, after the video went viral, some said the video was tasteless considering the gravity of the terror attacks.

Jess Desserts wrote on Twitter: 'Omg, that 9/11 cheerleader video has to be the most cringeworthy thing I've seen in a long time. Get a clue.'

Some viewers branded the performance - seen more than 20million times - 'tasteless' and 'cringeworthy'

After the video went viral, some said the video was 'tasteless' considering the gravity of the terror attacks

Other viewers said the video gave them 'goosebumps', with people who saw the performance live calling it 'absolutely amazing'

On September 11, 2001, two hijacked passenger planes crashed into two World Trade Center towers (pictured) in New York, another jet struck the Pentagon and a fourth crashed in a Pennsylvania field, killing 2,996

Whittney Carnahan added: 'I do not find the cheerleaders' routine to the "sounds of 9/11" to be very tasteful at all.'

Meanwhile Elaine Liner said: 'Just watched part of a video in which high school cheerleaders did a "tribute to 9/11." America, where tasteless tat passes for homage.'

However, other viewers said the video gave them 'goosebumps', with people who saw the performance live calling it 'absolutely amazing'.

Squad coach Laura Sheffield told BuzzFeed she was very proud of her team.

'We do this because we believe it is very important to honor and remember the first responders, those who gave their lives, and those who still mourn the hole left by lost loved ones,' she said.

'The girls are very dedicated in all they do. They take it very seriously, and know that being a cheerleader is more than just Friday Night Lights; It’s making a difference in the lives of our community.'