This past Sunday was a day of memorial and remembrance as we recalled the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001. At 8:46 AM fifteen years ago, in an act of terrorism, American Airlines Flight 11 was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, followed by United Airlines Flight 175 into the South Tower twelve minutes later.
Two more crashes would follow: American Airlines Flight 77 flew into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, and United Airlines Flight 95 crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsyvania. A total of 2,966 people were killed that day, including passengers, crew, people inside the World Trade Center, firefighters, law enforcement officers and military officers. In Manhattan, a national memorial service was held at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza. The ceremony included the recital of the names of those who died, tolling church bells and a tribute in lights at the site of the Twin Towers. Since 2012, the tradition is to have no dignitaries speak at the memorial, but several were in attendance, including presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. President Obama took part in the wreath laying ceremony at the Pentagon, saying “Fifteen years may seem like a long time. But for the families who lost a piece of their heart that day, I imagine it can seem like just yesterday.” The events of 9/11 and the souls lost that day were also commemorated at Notre Dame. 2,966 American flags, one for each person who died that day, were planted on the South Quad lawn. At 9:15AM on Sunday, a memorial service was led by Rev. Edward A. Malloy, president emeritus of Notre Dame. Following a short memorial talk by the Rev. Malloy and a prayer, students and visitors processed through campus to The Grotto, where candles were lit in memory of the 9/11 victims.
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