By Elisabeth Costanzo Stewart
Members of the campus community gathered in front of the Darwin R. Wales Center on Monday, September 11, 2023 to attend the annual remembrance ceremony commemorating the 22nd anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
In addition to SUNY Broome’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni, members of the local community traveled to campus to honor the 2,977 individuals who lost their lives due to coordinated acts of terrorism over two decades ago.
The ceremony began with a collective moment of silence, followed by a beautiful bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace,” played by Rich Maloney, Ken Roe, Josh Nytch, Marc Loveland and Mike Franz.
President Tony D. Hawkins lived in Manhattan in September of 2001 and shared his personal 9/11 story with the cermony’s attendees in honor of the request to “never forget.”
“I continue to think of all of the people with whom I shared my daily commute. We rarely spoke, but our lives intersected in a unique way,” President Hawkins said. “I never saw some of those people again after 9/11. I hope that like me, they just relocated, got out of the city, and created new lives. But I know that sadly that might not be the only story.”
Special speakers during the remembrance ceremony included:
- Lea Webb, New York State Senator – District 52
- Joe Angelino, New York State Assembly – District 121
- Jason Garnar, Broome County Executive.
Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers
During his remarks, Assemblyman Joe Angelino stressed our responsibility to teach the next generation about September 11th’s impact on the nation and its aftermath, which is still present over two decades later.
“Every generation has their defining moment. 9/11 was ours,” Assemblyman Angelino said. “I went down to New York City within a week of the attacks to deliver goods and to assist with the recovery and clean up. I am still haunted by the sound of fighter jets flying over us.”
SUNY Broome and fellow community colleges across the nation, educate and train the vast majority of first responders. Each speaker echoed sentiments of appreciation for the selfless work of first responders twenty-two years ago, as well as appreciation for those public servants who are dedicated to caring for our community today.
View photos from the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony.
