Story and Photo by Caleb Thornton
Advertising & Distribution Manager
“Fifteen years and one day ago in the course of nearly 23 minutes, those nearly three thousand people lost their lives,” Vice President Lori Winningham said.
On Monday, Sept. 12, at 11:15 a.m., the Butler Veterans Across Campus organization hosted a memorial ceremony to honor the 9/11 tragedy and first responders in the area. The ceremony was held in front of the Student Union and viewers gathered in the cement area in front.
Before the start of the event, Kevin Pickrell, a member of Butler Veterans Across Campus, handed faculty American flag pins to wear and have during the ceremony. Large flags were placed behind the podium right outside the Student Union. Although not many students stayed more than five minutes to take in the event, many faculty and community members lingered to watch and listen to the event.
To signal the beginning of the event, Professor of Instrumental Music Brett Martinez led the concert band in a harmonious patriotic song. Speakers of the ceremony included Kris Estes, chair of Butler Veterans Advisory Board, Winningham and Dean of Health, Early Childhood and Public Safety Anita Mills. Winningham and Mills both recalled the event in their speech, reminding listeners how powerful the memory still is even today.
“As all of us, we can remember where we were 15 years and one day ago,” Mills said during her speech honoring the deaths and heroism of first responders that day.
Director of Public Safety Chief Tim Bryan took the podium following Mills to speak of first responders and how important they are to the safety of citizens.
“Everyone here remembers the event in many different ways,” Bryan said as he began to inform the audience he was a police chief in Alabama during the 9/11 tragedy.
Bryan reminded listeners that we all remember the event differently, but that it meant the same basic idea to everyone as an American citizen. Although Bryan mainly focused on human first responders, he mentioned a canine first responder, as well.
“I just read last week the last surviving Ground Zero dog died,” Bryan added.
Before the end of the ceremony, all present first responders, including the Fire Science students, gathered on the bottom steps of the Student Union to allow viewers to honor them as well as to group for a picture. Ed Bailey fervently captured the event with his own camera, even lining the band up for a group photo.
Near the conclusion, the closing remarks revealed the student winner of the drawing the event had, which consisted of a backpack full of “goodies,” or snacks and other items. For those interested in attending a similar event to honor veterans and first responders, an event will be held on the Andover campus on Friday, Nov. 11.
