Clear clouds and a bright sun Wednesday morning began the one year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

At 8:48 a.m., the bells of Beaumont Tower rang in memory of first plane hit the World Trade Center Towers.

Students and people passing by stood around the MSU landmark and took in the moment as the trees in the backdrop rustled in the crisp morning air.

The ringing of the bells was the only thing heard minutes before 9 a.m. Wednesday. No planes were overhead as the tower bells rang in a tribute to lives lost and heroes who searched for hours for friends and family members.

Expressions on the faces of those near the tower said more than any words could.

“It’s special,” marketing senior Roman Macudzinski said. “I think things like this should be done everywhere, all over the world.”

The bells sounded again at the time each of the other planes crashed as a way of remembering. These additional reminders were at 9:03 a.m. and 9:43 a.m. - the times when each of the other planes crashed in Washington and Pennsylvania.

Attempting to hold back his tears, Macudzinski made a statement a lot of people probably share.

“Hopefully, we don’t have to go through that again.”