The Virginia Informer

9/11 remembered four years later

   Some dismayed over lack of focus at memorial service

By Amber Forehand, Staff Writer

---

     Two memorials took place on the William & Mary campus claiming to be in remembrance of the tragic events that took place on September 11^th, 2001. While one concentrated mostly on the 9/11 attacks, with some mention of the Hurricane Katrina devastation, the other merely reflected on international and ethnic peace.

     The first memorial took place at one o’clock in the Christopher Wren Chapel. It was put together by two William & Mary students, Arielle Kuiper and Amanda Downing. They had both been to Israel, and, having experienced terrorism first hand, they felt it necessary to put a presentation together. Arielle’s father had even survived the attack on the Pentagon, giving her all the more reason to commemorate those who were not as lucky.

     The ceremony both began and ended with the Queen’s Guard marching through, flags in hand. The Gentlemen of the College sang the National Anthem beautifully atop the stairs of the chapel, and several speakers took the podium to declare what 9/11 meant to them.

     Nadim Bawalsa, Middle Eastern Cultural Association (MECA) president, described his emotions when he first heard of the attacks and a distinct conversation he had with a cab driver, in which they both expressed sympathy for Americans. Towards the end of the speech, he invited everyone to the candlelight vigil MECA was hosting later that evening.

     Williamsburg Deputy Fire Chief Bert Geddy touched on the devastation caused not only by the 9/11 attacks, but by Hurricane Katrina as well. He expressed to the crowd the importance of cherishing relationships; he said the most important thing we have are our connections to other human beings, whether family or friends. He felt that we cannot take those relationships for granted.

    The keynote speaker for this ceremony was Professor Greg Miller. He detailed what happened during the 2001 terrorist attacks and explained the situation in New Orleans as it then stood. He spoke of the first plane hitting one of the towers and how everyone assumed it was an accident, but after the second, they knew it was a conspiracy. He also told of how there are hundreds of thousands displaced people in New Orleans, some starving on the streets. He recapped these times of great destruction because this was a ceremony of remembrance, and in order to remember, we must first recall what happened. Professor Miller also expressed his opinion as an American, and focused on the idea of rebuilding; rebuilding unifies the community, reestablishes our connection as a people, and helps us to grieve together.

      Towards the end of the service, Reverend David Hindman led the group in a moment of silence, enabling everyone to reflect on his or her thoughts. Afterward he guided everyone in prayer.

     Arielle and Amanda then ended the ceremony, thanked everyone for coming, and reminded those present to attend the candlelight vigil that was to occur later that evening. Quite a few people remained at the chapel to either talk to the speakers or continue to pray.

      The second memorial that took place was at eight o’clock at the Sunken Gardens and was organized by the members of the Middle Eastern Cultural Association (MECA). Although it was advertised on campus as a ceremony to remember the victims and families of the September 11^th attacks and Hurricane Katrina, many who attended claimed it was more like a peace rally.

      The evening began with Chris Sidiropoulos and Ehren Wade playing the ‘oud, a musical instrument used in both Northern Africa and Southeast Asia. The ‘oud playing provided flow during the pause between numerous speakers as well. Sulaiman Bah also performed a short Mawal, an Arabic improvisational vocal technique.

      Nadim Bawalsa, president of MECA, welcomed everyone to the ceremony and introduced the many culturally and ethnically diverse speakers. He also invited everyone to take a lit candle and donate money to the Hurricane Katrina relief table that was set up.

      Gina Sobel and Scott Brown, representing Hillel (Jewish Student Organization), shared with the attendants how Jews mourn and recited a Jewish peace prayer. Gina also performed a song written by a woman during the Holocaust.

      Elizabeth McCrillis spoke on behalf of the Catholic Campus Ministry, and Alex Godspeed and Sulaiman Bah represented the Muslim Student Association (MSA).

     Rev. Hindman, who was also at this event, asked everyone to bow their heads in a word of prayer, and Judd Kennedy sang “Amazing Grace,” encouraging participation from the crowd. This was followed by a moment of silence for one’s own personal reflection.

     Cosmo Fujiyama, from the Asian Student Council declared, “We have nothing without each other…let unity ring.” Former MECA president Banan Malkawi declared, “We are all human beings.” Richael Faithful represented the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and Suzie Dhere spoke for the African Cultural Society.

     Although everyone was gathered there in remembrance of the destruction that had and has occurred from 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, the focus was more on the peace and unity that needs to be present in society. In fact, there was very little, if any, actual mention of those tragic events. “It’s ridiculous that they couldn’t really focus on 9/11 for a single night,” said one freshman. “They hardly even mentioned 9/11.” Some took it as a sign of disrespect to the victims and families, while others felt like societal concentration on harmony could and would prevent another tragedy, like the one which occurred on 9/11, in the future.

---

Want to write news for The Virginia Informer? Please e-mail vainfo@wm.edu for details!