Government and Community Relations
Speeches and Presentations
Sept. 11 Remembrance Walk Dedication Dr. Susan Salvador Vice President, Student Services MCC Brighton Campus 09/11/2003 Good morning. Thank you for choosing to remember this day with us at Monroe Community College. County Legislator Jay Ricci is with us this morning and I would like to thank him for taking time from his schedule to be here. Our community comes together this morning on the second anniversary of a great tragedy. A tragedy that tore apart mothers and fathers from children … separated husbands and wives and caused siblings to search for one another. Many of us continue to shed tears over personal losses of friends and family resulting from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Photographs from the attacks still bring back memories of that day and the emotions we felt as our national security was threatened. At that time, three student leaders, Jessica Brown, Dan O’Hanlon and Tammi Ingerham, who are with us this morning, envisioned the September 11th Remembrance Walk ---- and with their passion turned a dream into a reality. These students and others at the college decided to be more than bystanders. They chose to make a difference and to contribute to the world in which they live. Thank you to those committed students, Sear Brown and other local businesses for making this memorial a reality that will forever honor the thousands of victims lost … in the attacks at the World Trade Center … over a field in Pennsylvania … and at the Pentagon. This is a memorial—LIKE NO OTHER—where, together, we remember our past and look to the future. At the Remembrance Walk dedication one year ago, MCC student leaders felt it was not enough to acknowledge just the American victims of the terrorist attacks, when over 80 countries lost citizens. Rather, during the ceremony, students commemorating the 86 countries that lost citizens placed roses at the base of the memorial, as audience members watched and reflected on how the tragedy changed our lives. This year, student leaders from the Campus Activities Board and the Brighton Student Government Association have collaboratively planned this morning’s memorable event. I am continuously impressed by the spirit, commitment and vision of our students. Thank you for all you do! This morning, we are proud to continue the tradition by having MCC students and members of our audience light candles. By doing so, we acknowledge the diverse collection of students, faculty and staff who make MCC so unique among two- and four-year institutions. By being here today, we are making an important statement: …to those who lost their lives and the loved ones who mourn, we say we remember; ….to our leaders and those serving in the military, we stand behind you; and ….to those who continue to threaten our country and way of life, we will not tolerate your threats and we are not afraid. As the sun shines on this monument at 8:46 this morning, it will once again connect our college community with our world, and, frankly, our universe. For a brief moment, the sun will cast its light on the monument, and reflect the shadows of the towers on the ground as if they were still standing and casting their own shadows. May you always find it in your heart to remember those we lost and to work together to make this world a more peaceful and forgiving place. |
