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Sept. 11 marked with rememberance and hoping
By Nick Phillips
Old Gold and Black Reporter

In one split second, a shattered tower fell, blanketing lower Manhattan in a fog of chaos and terror. Since that moment, America has changed dramatically.

As people across the world paused to remember the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the feeling deep down was stirred once again in the hearts of many Americans.

Sept. 11 has affected many in some distinct way. Most have returned to quasi-normalcy, but the world is still different. It is with this in mind that America mourned, prayed and reflected once more on the anniversary.

The day began with the toll of the carillon minutes before 9 a.m., marking the moment the first plane struck Tower 2 of the World Trade Center in New York City. President Hearn made a statement from the steps of Wait Chapel around 10:30 a.m and then began to read the names of the more than 3,000 victims. Throughout the day students and faculty continued to read the list of names.

A documentary film was shown at 11 a.m, 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. in Pugh Auditorium, and faculty members of the religion department answered students’ questions afterwards. Large bulletin boards were placed outside Wait Chapel and Benson Center so that students could write reflections and thoughts throughout the day.

"I want to pay respects for those who lost their lives, and I feel that [honoring the dead] is the right thing to do," said freshman Riley Swanson.

The American Red Cross held a blood drive during the afternoon in Benson, and the Volunteer Service Corps manned a table in front of Reynolda Hall encouraging people to volunteer in remembrance of the victims of Sept. 11.

Finally, the day culminated in an interfaith worship service and candlelight vigil beginning at 8 p.m. in Wait Chapel.

Speaking to over 1,500 students, faculty and administrators that assembled at the event, Detective James Rae, one of seven speakers, spoke of his experiences on Sept. 11, 2001.

"I cried inside for my brother officers ... on that day in New York, I lost 37 brother police officers," he said. "They didn’t have to answer the call, yet they did without hesitation."

The anniversary of Sept. 11 prompted many people on campus to pause and reflect how their lives have been impacted and what the future will bring.

"There is nervousness, not that it will happen again, but the memories and the anxiety are there. It should be a day of remembrance," freshman Audra Bauman said. "There is a higher level of protection than a year ago, but another attack is possible. There is only so much our government can do … but they are watching out for us."

Junior Will Perry echoed these thoughts. "Last year, there was a unified feeling, especially on campus not seen before (Sept. 11)," he said. "But the overall impact is that not much has changed. An attack could come at any time, and the events of Sept. 11 helped to illustrate that no one is invincible, that there is no defense against terrorism."

Freshman Amy Cunneen offered an interesting perspective, as she was born and lived most of her life in Ireland. She flew this Sept. 11, and was a little nervous about doing so. Fortunately, Cunneen felt that it would be one of the safest days of the year, with security measures at an all-time high.

Charles Kimball, a professor and chair of the religion department, is using the Sept. 11 attacks as a teachable moment on the corruptibility of religion.

His new book, When Religion Becomes Evil, was published on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

"The lesson is that we’ve always known that religion can inspire someone to do their best, but it can also be used for evil," he said. "Sept. 11 provides a backdrop, a focus to study how all religions, not just Islam, can become corrupted."

Kimball is an internationally known expert on Islam and world religions. He is currently on a one-week tour promoting the book in New York and Washington D.C.

Despite his years of experience in extremist religions and Middle East issues, Kimball still reacted to the attacks like any other person. "I was no less saddened or shocked, but not as surprised that it happened," he said. "It deepened my personal resolve to help teach what Islam means to the majority of Muslims."

But perhaps one of the most emotional perspective is the one held by freshman Emma Doughan. Doughan, a resident of a nearby suburb of New York City, personally lost 30 people to the terrorist attacks.

"My dad worked on the 64th floor of the first tower until July of 2001 … his bank lost seven people in the attacks," she said. "Our high school lost three dads in the attacks — one of them got out of the tower alive, called his wife, said he loved her, then went back in to help get people out. They found his body with seven other firemen, and gave him a fireman’s funeral."

A more ironic part of Doughan’s story is that her sister’s birthday is on Sept. 11, and that evening the family was planning on celebrating in a restaurant in Battery Park, adjacent to the World Trade Center.

"I’ve just been touched all day [by the ceremonies] and I feel blessed with the ability to be here," said junior Abby Bowman, who helped coordinate the vigil.