It’s been more than a decade since journalism senior Tyler Hendon, then a fifth-grader, watched footage of airplanes crashing into the towers of the World Trade Center and people jumping from its floors — a day he said he will never forget.
And last night, on the 11th anniversary of the tragic day, Hendon was able to stand beside his fraternity brothers with a face illuminated by candlelight and take a moment of silence to remember those perished and affected.
At a candlelight vigil for 9/11 hosted by the Zeta Delta chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, about 40 community members gathered near the fountain by the Student Services Building
Hendon said the event was about people gathering together in a positive manner to remember this tragedy that affected all Americans.
“Over anything, we appreciate people around the United States who are looking back on these events and celebrating the lives of those who are lost,” said Hendon, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.
Hendon said although he did not know anyone who was directly affected by the attack, he is passionate about the fact that in some way, it touched the life of every American.
Social relations and policy senior Paris Wilson said he was motivated to do so after he felt the acknowledgement on campus of the 10th anniversary was lacking.
“It’s a very tragic event that needs to be publicized more; we don’t want people to forget what happened,” said Wilson, the president of the fraternity.
David Hurley, a premed sophomore in Lyman Briggs College, said he heard about the event via word of mouth.
He had a family member in the state of New York and another family member planning to take a flight that day. Even at a young age, Hurley remembers feeling scared and unsure of what was going on.
“As I heard the towers were attacked I thought, ‘Oh gosh, I hope my family’s OK,’” Hurley said. “But at the same time, I was like, ‘You know, it should be fine in the end,’ and everything was fine in the end.”
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