9-11 ceremony at WNMU 091117

Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 14 September 2017 14 September 2017

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

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9-11 ceremony at WNMU 091117

Western New Mexico University Communications Director Abe Villarreal served as the moderator for the 9/11 ceremony held Sept. 11, 2017 at Old James Stadium where a large American flag and almost 3,000 tiny flags decorated the field. It marked 16 years since the event about which WNMU President Joseph Shepard later said: "That moment has defined our past decade and a half."

"Let us take a moment to remember the victims of 9/11 and honor them," Villarreal began.

He then announced the entrance of the colors by the Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 358 Color Guard.

A trumpet player, Angel Almanza, played The Star-Spangled Banner, followed by Calvary Chapel Pastor Joseph Gros giving the opening prayer.

Villarreal recognized members of the Marine Corps League Detachment who attended the gathering.

Shepard quoted Nelson Mandela, who said: "Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the conquering of fear."

"Nearly 3,000 flags are planted in the grass here to represent those killed that day and those who later died from their injuries at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and in the field in Pennsylvania," he continued.

"It's no longer the same for air travel, railroad travel or any travel," Shepard said. "People still have fear of traveling on 9/11. We have to look fear in the face and confront it."

He noted the country is very divided these days. "If we could ask each of those 3,000 what their gender, ethnicity or political party is, they would say they are and were Americans. The message we walked away with that day was the element of fear we are yet to get over. Bring back their memories by confronting your fear."

"It's OK that we have differing views, whether we are illegal or not, Catholic or Muslim, we should triumph over the fear," Shepard said. "Be a compassionate America. Upon that we will triumph. Look for joy and help everyone with compassion and respect."

Student Body President Tim Stillman said he was 12 years old the day of the attack. "Even if you don't have a memory of that day, it's part of our past. I was in the seventh grade. I woke up to find my parents huddled around the TV, watching, with horror on their faces. They went to work, after my father dropped me at school. I got into the classroom to find out the second plane had crashed into the other tower. There was a lot of panic, a lot of confusion, and next we watched what happed at the Pentagon and learned of the crash in the Pennsylvania field. What I do remember is terrifying. I remember school closing and my parents coming home. I remember seeing the faces in New York City, gray with soot, unable to tell the race or gender."

"I'm extremely grateful for this nation," Stillman continued. "I'm blessed. We were in the middle of darkness, but we found a way to unify. 9/11 reminds me of unification. Be kind to one another and together we will get through anything."

Student Thomas Durham said he echoed the sentiments of Shepard and Stillman. "I was asked to speak because I am a student and also a veteran. I was home sick in bed that day. The next day I went to work and found everyone still huddled around the TV. It didn't take long before I heard the call to service from veterans in my office. I heard their resolve, so I went by a recruiter's office and signed up."

"That day, people showed up to give blood, to donate, to help," Durham said. "At the recruiter's, I saw a lot of young men and women wanting to serve. I was most proud to serve. I was 20 years old the day it happened. Everything that day was a call to service and a call to love one another.

"We go through tough times," he continued. "We shouldn't need a tragedy to bring us together. It's amazing what we can do together. Thank you. God Bless you all."

Bryant Chaffino of Mariachi Plata sang "God Bless America."

Marshon Curry, a student employee of the Office of Student Life, recited the poem, "If I knew." Villarreal said it was that office that put on the ceremony.

Mariachi Plata sang "America, the Beautiful."

Student Angela Njoku wrote and recited a poem, "Father, please come home."

Njoku and Katherine Warren sang "Love is spoken here."

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