September 11, 2018

American flags adorned the columns and the Switzler Hall bell rang out on Tuesday morning to honor the more than 3,000 people killed on Sept. 11, 2001. MU Chancellor Alexander Cartwright placed a ceremonial wreath on the plaque in front of the columns in remembrance.

In his address, Cartwright described a sense of unity resulting from the attack on the World Trade Center.

“All of us who were old enough remember exactly where we were and what we were doing 17 years ago today,” Cartwright said. “I was in my office in Buffalo, New York, meeting with students. Many of you were here, over a thousand miles away. But as the news spread, and we waited as brave first responders rescued those they could, we were united in one heart and one mind.”

Cartwright said in his remarks that he sees examples of the “spirit” of the country on campus.

“We see the strength of our students, staff and faculty who support our tremendous ROTC program,” Cartwright said. “At Crowder Hall and Memorial Union, we remember our Tiger veterans who have dedicated their lives to serving our country. With MU Extension, we help train missouri’s emergency personnel.”

A number of students, faculty and staff were involved in the ceremony.

The ROTC joint services color guard presented the colors at the columns. The wreath processional that presented the wreath to the chancellor consisted of Kyle Smith, Mizzou Student Veterans Association President, James Musgraves, Mizzou Military Veterans Alumni Association President, Doug Schwandt, MU Police Department Chief and Kevin Zumwalt, MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute Director. Sophomore Piper Stow of Marching Mizzou played taps on the trumpet to conclude the ceremony.

MSVA Vice President Zachary Ignotz enrolled in MU after serving in the Marine Corps from 2012 to 2016. He described the challenges of going from soldier to student.

“The transition from military life to civilian life, even without college, is sort of difficult,” Ignotz said. “So then to throw college into that is difficult for some veterans when they’re so used to a structured, rigid lifestyle. Now, no one’s making them go to class and no one’s telling them to get things done.”

Ignotz said the importance of remembering 9/11 is not lost on his generation of service members.

“9/11 means a lot to a lot of people,” Ignotz said. “To not do something for it seems to sort of disregard or even ignore those feelings. To bring light to it and let everyone have that day just kind of helps people come to terms with what happened.”

For Cartwright, annual remembrance is a form of patriotism.

“It means a tremendous amount to me because each time that I do this, it reminds me of what this country means to everybody in terms of freedom and in terms of opportunity,” he said. “We remember all the people who lost their lives on that day.”

_Edited by Morgan Smith | mosmith@themaneater.com_

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