Downtown Center’s 9/11 Commemoration drew many students, faculty and staff. The introductory address, reprinted below, was presented by DTC Student Government Association Vice President Laura Baird. Keynote addresses were presented by DTC Professor Dr. Roger Rolison, Father Singleton of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Hope Zayed of the Muslim community, and Rabbi Dr. Richard Corseri, who is also a South Campus Professor.

Introductory Remarks by Laura Baird

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is Laura Baird, and I am Vice President of the Student Government Association. I’d like to thank you for being with us today on the anniversary of September 11th, and at this time I’d like to share with you some words that I came across while preparing this introduction. The words are from the editors of “The day that changed America.” These words touched my heart, as I hope they will touch yours.

When terrorists struck that bright September morning, they unintentionally opened a mother lode of patriotic fervor that welled up and swelled the American heart and mind.

From sea to shining sea -- and anywhere Americans happened to be overseas -- U.S citizens everywhere found unique and moving ways to show their pride and their love of their nation’s greatest symbol, The Star Spangled Banner.

Hats and helmets, homes and walls, faces and fences, streets and sidewalks all became canvasses for everyday people to display those colors and defiantly show their determination that the United States will survive, recover and prevail.

Any divisions over race, creed and ethnic origin were quickly cast aside, as Americans united in their hearts and minds to tell the world what the word “United” in United States of America really means.