MU students honor those lost on Sept. 11
Many events and displays of patriotism are planned.
Published Sept. 11, 2009
Eight years ago, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Virginia and a fourth hijacked plane that crashed in a field in Pennsylvania left the nation in shock and devastation. In 2009, MU students are remembering the events of Sept. 11, 2001, through various events and ceremonies.
"I remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard what had happened," Missouri Students Association Senate Speaker Amanda Shelton said. "It marked the beginning of my road towards political awareness, patriotism and service for my country."
Shelton was one author of legislation Act 49-2, a bill establishing a Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of those lost Sept. 11.
Last week at the MSA Senate meeting, the bill passed unanimously. Shelton said it encourages a self-motivated moment of silence for students.
"The next steps after passing the legislation are to promote and enact the legislation," Shelton said. "One element of that has been to e-mail administration letting them know we have declared it and asking them to join us. I want this bill to help bring people together."
MSA is not hosting an event Friday because it is holding an event Sept. 26 and because many similar events are being held, Shelton said.
The MU College Republicans are planning to set up an American flag for each victim of the attacks on display at the Carnahan Quadrangle on Friday morning to symbolize and remember those who were lost. They are also planning to distribute buttons and posters that say, "Never Forget."
The College Republicans and the College Democrats are coming together and hosting a bake sale to raise funds for a bipartisan organization that buys better equipment for American troops.
"It is important; it's our history," freshman ROTC student Chelsea Rose said. "And it is like our Vietnam — monumental not just for us, but for the world. It still affects us because of the war today that sprouted from it."
At the MU football game this Saturday, the Color Guard will be doing a tribute by shooting off guns before the game in memory of the lives lost. The ROTC program will be bringing all the branches together for a barbeque with military officials speaking in honor of those who have been lost.
There will be an official remembrance ceremony Friday in Jefferson City at the State Capitol on the South Lawn. Events will include a blood drive, an emergency preparedness event with the Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and entertainment from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The event organizers want to promote community service in emergency preparation and promote remembrance of veterans and those lost in the attacks.
Some students are not planning on attending any events, but are looking for other ways to remember.
"I'll watch the news or TV for specials on 9/11," freshman Ryean Callahan said. "I like to see what they have to say and how much things have changed every year."