September 13, 2012
The reality of the day remains strong and painful in our memories. No matter how many anniversaries pass, we are individually subject to the momentous return of terror and disbelief that we each experienced that day each Sept. 11. While this moment is personal, we must also take the time out of our busy lives on the Hill to communally reflect, remember and think to the future.
Without a doubt, many members of the Hamilton College community directly experienced the horror of loss as a result of the senseless 9/11 attacks. We, as a community, owe it to those Hamiltonians as well as to those who sacrificed their lives, to ritualize our commemorative efforts on Patriot Day. While residing on the Hill, we are each other’s greatest support systems. With this in mind, it is truly great that we are able to gather and commemorate such a consequential event in a truly respectful manner without regard to our political, religious and other ideological differences.
On Tuesday morning, another beautiful day in a beautiful nation much like the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, members of the Hamilton College Republicans and Democrats looked beyond their differences and joined together to place 3,000 commemorative United States flags along Martin’s Way outside of the Sadove Student Center.
Later in the day, a vigil gathering made its way to the steps of the Chapel where a board stood for members of the community to share their feelings, to reflect on harsh realities and to remember those who gave their innocent lives. Many names, prayers and thoughts decorated this board, which signified the connection between the Hamilton community and the nearly 3,000 men and women who sacrificed their lives on that seemingly normal morning in Sept. 2001.
Although we can never forget the horrors of these terrorist attacks on the United States, as years go by, we must also use the anniversary of 9/11 for forward thinking. Especially this year as the new World Trade Center takes form in the Manhattan skyline and 9/11 memorials attract millions of visitors per day, we owe it to our strong country to not only reflect on and remember the past, but also to work towards the realization of our brighter future.