The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) community marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks with a moment of silence and prayer on Friday.
Students, faculty and staff gathered around the flagpole in front of Rooney Center at 9:03 a.m. to commemorate the moment the plane struck the second World Trade Center Tower a quarter-century ago.
“Today, we honor our flag in memory of those who lost their lives, in gratitude for those who served, and in recognition of the strength and resilience of those who carried our nation forward,” said John Amt, a sophomore from Brownsburg, Ind., and co-president of SMWC’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), before the moment of silence.
While the nation is still reeling from the events of 9/11, the 25th anniversary is a reminder to live differently.
“The event reminded everyone to commit to being kinder and serving more freely and generously,” said Tim Tesmer, SMWC’s campus minister, who led the prayer and recalled his own experiences 25 years ago. “I was at an early morning Bible study and went home after and watched TV in utter disbelief. I didn’t think the nation would ever be the same.”
The events of 9/11 created a ripple effect that is felt by all today.
“For those of you who remember that day, the memories may still feel remarkably close. Where you were, who you were with and how you watched the events unfold,” said Jayden Hickenbotham, a co-president of SMWC’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes who helped lead the moment of silence and prayer. “For those of us who were born after September 11, this day is something we have learned about through history, through stories from our families and through the memories of those who lived it.”
No matter where a person was on 9/11, it’s important to remember, said Isabelle Waldron, a junior FCA member from Roanoke, Ind.
“On that morning, ordinary people found themselves facing extraordinary circumstances,” she said. “First responders ran toward danger. Strangers helped one another. People searched for loved ones. Communities opened their doors and across the country, people came together in ways that reminded us of what it means to be human. May we never forget the lives lost on Sept. 11, and may we never forget the compassion and courage that followed.”
Each attendee also received a timeline of events from 9/11, showing how 19 al-Qaeda terrorists had hijacked four U.S. commercial airplanes and killed nearly 3,000 people in less than two hours.