Yesterday marked the sixth anniversary of the assaults on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon

Although the tragedy was not projected to generate as much media attention as preceding years according to USA TODAY, the Elon Community recognized the event yesterday during College Coffee.

“College coffee is a time that the entire university gathers together,” sophomore Christi Wieand said. “It was perfect for acknowledging this tragedy.”

Leo Lambert addressed the community and verbally recreated the day six years ago that the Elon community discovered the attacks.

During the College Coffee that occurred six years ago, Elon was commemorating the opening of Rhodes Stadium. Lambert broke the spirits of the celebrating crowd and announced the “unthinkable news.”

“The community was shocked and stunned. The news was unbelievable,” Lambert said. “All of us were affected, all of us felt the change.”

University Chaplain and Director of Church Relations Richard McBride lead the community in prayer. As Alamance Fountain splashed in the background, McBride called the community to pray for the innocent who died, those who lost family members, military personnel, refugees, Iraqis and Afghanis.

“These years have taught us we must learn from our errors and be aware of our power,” McBride said.

After the remembrance ceremony during College Coffee, students continued to reflect on Sept. 11 throughout the day.

“I’m from New Jersey, 45 minutes outside of the city, and I will never forget how scared I was,” post-graduate student Caitlan Pyden said. “There was a lot of uncertainty, panic and fear.”

It was one of the first things I thought of today when I woke up,” sophomore Josh Tate said. “It seems like we have come a long way, but to an extent we have not.”

No matter what the date, the events that occurred on Sept. 11 are fading into history.

“Everyone is so wrapped up in their own lives that they forget about an event such as this,” Wieand said.

Features Editor: Caroline Matthews - 09/12/07