This post was written by Hatchet reporters Sam Morse and Ally Kowalski.
More than 200 students and faculty gathered Thursday in the Marvin Center to remember the fear that gripped the nation 13 years ago, with speakers focusing on themes of unity and hope as campus commemorated the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Attendees of the vigil lit nine candles for each of the GW alumni who died in the attacks, and Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders led the gathering in a prayer. Provost Steven Lerman spoke about the legacy of the attacks and the lasting impact the events had on the University and the country.
The lacrosse stick of an alumnus who had graduated from GW that year and died in the attacks is now on display in a memorial at the 9/11 museum in New York City, which opened last spring.
Michael Massaroli, Jr., whose father worked on the 101st floor of the first tower and died that day, spoke about the time that has passed since he lost his 38-year-old father.
“It is up to those of us who remember to keep alive the memory of those who were lost,” Massaroli said.
He said the last 13 years have been “a blip historically, yet quite a long time for those who have lived it.”
Vice President Joe Biden visited campus Thursday to help Points of Light volunteers prepare care packages for veterans, active military, first responders and wounded warriors.
A small group of administrators, faculty and students met at Veterans Memorial Park in Kogan Plaza for a wreath-laying ceremony Thursday morning. University President Steven Knapp spoke at the ceremony that honored those who died before joining attendees in a minute-long moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., marking when the first plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
