We still remember…

Four years after the terrorist hijackings of September 11, 2001, GC&SU students still remember the people that lost their lives on that tragic day.

A total of 3,009 American flags lined the east side of the main GC&SU courtyard on September 12. Each of these flags represented an American who perished in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Behind this string of flags, the column that is lit only for campus observances burned brightly, and the flag stood at half-mast.

This gathering, organized by the Never Forget Project, GC&SU’s College Republicans and the GIVE Center, was held at 7 p.m. on the front lawn in the 9/11 victims’ memory.

Senior Joannah Hollis, chairperson of the College Republicans and member of the Phi Mu Sorority, started the ceremony. She led the crowd of about 50 students in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Hollis then spoke of the various places where people lost their lives on September 11, bringing particular attention to the people on flight 93. She called them the “first fighters in the War on Terrorism,” praised them for their brave actions, and commented on how their sacrifices are mostly forgotten.

A moment of reflection followed, while “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” by Alan Jackson played in the background. Everyone was urged to think of where they were when they learned of the terrible attacks and what they felt on that day.

“All the material stuff, it really doesn’t matter,” Hollis said. “It’s the people you love that are really important.”

Sandy Baxter, executive director of the local Red Cross, then commented on her feelings of that day and how her department had to work extremely hard in the following months to help the families of the victims recover.

Like everyone else present, Baxter could vividly remember where she was when she heard of the attacks.

“I don’t think anyone could ever forget,” she said.

Baxter thanked GC&SU and it’s students for all their help with raising funds recently for the Red Cross, expressing the gratitude of the victims of the tragedies of September 11 and Hurricane Katrina.

Delta Zeta, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Kappa Sigma all presented Baxter with donations to the relief effort. She thanked them and reminded students that they could donate to the Change for Change fund anytime this year. Proceeds from this fund are used by the Red Cross to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The GIVE Center and the College Republicans helped coordinate the event, with help from Dean of Students Dr. Bruce Harshbarger and the GC&SU faculty.

“A huge thanks to the faculty; they were great,” Hollis said. “Harshbarger was real helpful, helping us get the flags.”

Harshbarger was pleased with the students’ efforts.

“I’m really proud of the students who pulled it together,” he said. “They have a real sense of obligation.”

The group plans to have this kind of ceremony again next year.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 16 2005. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry