Events on Campus Will Commemorate 20th Anniversary of Sept. 11

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American flags arranged Facilities Management encircle a maple tree planted as a memorial to alumna Sara Low, who died during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Many of today's freshman students were not yet born when terrorists commandeered four commercial airliners and used them to attack New York City and Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001, but the events of that day are something with which they have all grown up, a central underlying event of their generation.

For another member of the campus community, alumna Sara Elizabeth Low, the events of that day ended her life. Low, who grew up in Batesville and earned business degrees at the University of Arkansas, was a flight attendant on American Airlines Flight 11, the plane that crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.

In honor of Low and the other 2,752 people who died as a result of the terrorist attacks, various groups at the University of Arkansas have organized memorial events on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10-11, commemorating the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11.

"Saturday marks the twentieth anniversary of one of the most shocking events in American history," interim Chancellor Charles Robinson said. "The events of 9/11 are a part of our national identity now. By gathering together in respectful contemplation, we can honor those who perished on September 11, as well as those who have suffered and grieved long after that date. I hope that in reflecting on this tragedy we can also resolve to act with peace, unity and love in the future. That would be the greatest way to honor the victims of 9/11."

MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB THIS MORNING

The Army and Air Force ROTC units are holding their ninth annual Memorial Stair Climb at the Razorback Stadium this morning. The event begins at 5 a.m. today, Thursday, Sept. 9. Like every year, cadets will be climbing the bleacher steps to the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs, the same that first responders would have climbed in the twin towers of the World Trade Center 20 years ago. Firefighters, police officers, members of the National Guard and Reservists join the student cadets as well to honor the fallen of 9/11.

"This stair climb means so much more than it seems," said Jorden Marmolejo, a freshman Air Force ROTC cadet. "As a daughter of two parents who both deployed overseas as United States Marines, I grew up knowing the impact that the date September 11th has. I thank not only them, but the many first responders and military personnel who risked their lives to keep our country safe. I see my parents as forever heroes for what they did to keep the dangers away from this place we call home. They are the reason I want to be a part of the world's greatest Air Force, and I am so proud to be a part of something that commemorates the people we lost, but never forgot, on this day, 20 years ago."

"You don’t really think about how many individual stairs they had to climb up to get to the top of the towers," said Braden Hughes, an Army ROTC member. "After 40 flights, my legs begin to shake and I am reminded of their dedication with every step I make. Climbing a total of 110 flights of stairs is the least that we can do to honor the sacrifice of the first responders 20 years ago, and I will continue to do it every year I am physically able."

Another freshman Air Force cadet, Ryan Miller, said, "The 9/11 stair climb tribute is not only significant in honoring those who gave their lives serving others, but to honor the unification of the United States after that horrifying day. The commemoration glorifies the unmatched courage, bravery and selflessness that America’s first responders and public health workers showed. The stair climb is a humbling reminder of the struggles that each and every first responder and family member went through during and after the attack."

Thomas Holley, a sophomore Air Force ROTC member, summed up the thoughts of many when he said, "It’s a toast to the fallen, and a way to give thanks to the firefighters, police officers, medical personnel, guardsmen and many others for doing their duty on that fateful day. We remember them by participating in this climb."

CHIMES OF OLD MAIN ON FRIDAY

A commemoration of Sara Low's life will begin with the chimes of Old Main ringing 20 times, starting at 9:11 a.m. Bouquets of flowers will be placed near a tree planted in her memory along the sidewalk running between Old Main and the corner of Arkansas Avenue and Dickson Street. Flags encircling the maple tree were installed by Facilities Management.

Members of the campus community are invited to join the commemoration at the memorial maple tree.

COMMEMORATIVE BLOOD DRIVE

The U of A Al-Islam Students Association will conduct its annual Memorial Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the Peace Fountain between Vol Walker Hall and Old Main. Appointments are strongly encouraged. Call 417-227-5006 or visit www.cbco.org/donate-blood to schedule an appointment.

The student organization began holding blood drives on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack to honor those who died and in coordination with a national Muslims for Life Campaign.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

The World Trade Center Arkansas will observe a moment of silence on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 11, to honor the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The center will observe a three-minute moment of silence at 7:46 a.m., the time at which the first plane struck the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.

"As a proud partner of the association, the World Trade Center Arkansas wants to join in remembering the lives lost on this tragic day 20 years ago," said Denise Thomas, CEO of the World Trade Center Arkansas.

MEMORIAL AT ARKANSAS-TEXAS GAME SATURDAY

Prior to the game, 2,993 American flags will be planted near Gate 1 of Reynolds Razorback Stadium by members of ROTC to memorialize those who lost their lives on Sept. 11.

On Saturday, for the National Anthem, more than 70 uniformed personnel of the National Gard and ROTC cadet cadre will present a quarter-field American flag across the field. A moment of silence will be observed with a 21-gun salute. The National Anthem will be sung via a crowd-sourced performance and the crowd will be asked to join in. At the end of the anthem, the Bulldog Flight Team will make a flyover with white smoke trails.

Arkansas fans in the stadium have been asked to wear red and white by section to create red-and-white stripes while the visitors' section will have blue poms. American flags will fly alongside Razorback flags on the top of the east, west and south decks. The university will recognize military members and first responders including EMS, police and firefighters. Other patriotic presentations include a red, white and blue light show, the message "Never Forget" on the skirt of opposite 25-yard lines and patriotic music and fireworks.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among fewer than 3% of colleges and universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.