Yesterday morning’s crisp air, swift breeze and full sunshine made the day feel eerily similar to the day 11 years ago when almost 3,000 American men and women lost their lives as a result of the attacks on September 11, 2001.
“The attacks still feel like yesterday. Remembering is sad, I don’t think we’ll ever stop remembering no matter how many years pass,” said Nicole Vengalli ’16 at yesterday’s emotional remembrance mass held at Egan Chapel.
The mass, led by Fr. Charles Allen, S.J., had over 150 people in attendance, with an even mix of current students and alumni present.
“Our proximity to New York City definitely causes this day to hold more significance. We lost 14 alumni that day,” said alumni Frank Corr ’60.
The significance of the mass was to acknowledge and remember the deaths that occurred on Sept. 11 in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in the fields of Pennsylvania, said Allen as he began mass.
The family of victim Patrick J. Maguire ‘82 brought up gifts and a performance by the Bensonians brought tears to the eyes of many.
Students who didn’t attend yesterday’s mass found their own way to recognize the infamous day in our nation’s history by tweeting about it. Students sent out caring and heartfelt tweets recognizing the day.
Some sent messages for those who lost their lives that day and some sent ones for the members of the NYPD and FDNY that through that day became heroes.
An interfaith prayer service in the morning, co-sponsored by a number of organizations on campus, was held at Egan Chapel, and a screening of “Three Faiths, Two Stories, One Woman” took place in the Kelley Center in the evening. The film presented a unique approach to faith-based relations and drew on universal qualities shared by Muslims and Christians.
The University also set up a reflection wall in the Barone Campus Center where students, faculty members and staff posted thoughts, feelings, and sentiments throughout the day yesterday. Most people wrote statements about where they were that day when it happened.
“This year, we honor this important day . . . with events that promote healing and reconciliation,” said Julie Mughal, assistant director of the Center for Faith and Public Life.
Other campus-wide all-day events included continuous screenings of the documentary titled “Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero” held in the Barone Campus Center, and a Bellarmine Museum exhibition featuring the work of artist Dalton Ghetti who honored the fallen by carving teardrops made from graphite of recycled pencils.
“We hope these events on this special day will aid us in remembering and honoring all the victims of 9/11,” said Rev. George Collins, S.J., director of Campus Ministry.
“Fairfield definitely did a great job at making sure the anniversary of 9/11 was well covered and recognized. Just look how many people are here at mass,” said Jen Jamin ’14.
Finally, with the completion of the new 9/11 memorial at round zero people can visit and pay respects and reflect on the events of that day.
Inscribed into the edge of each reflecting pool is the name of each person who died in the 2001 attacks, which result as a powerful reminder of the largest loss of life by a foreign attack on American soil.
The reflecting pools are nearly an acre in size and feature the largest manmade waterfalls in North America. The pools sit where the Twin Towers once did.
Inscribed into the edge of each pool is the name of each person who died in the 2001 attacks, which result as a powerful reminder of the largest loss of life by a foreign attack on American soil.
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