The mood was somber, the sky iridescent blue, and the wind howling as a crowd of more than 1,000 students, faculty and staff came together at a vigil memorializing the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
Rabbi Joseph A. Polak, director of the B’nai Birth Hillel House, said the vigil showed that Americans could begin to move on from the tragedies they suffered a year ago.
“Tonight’s vigil is a tremendous show of hope,” Polak said. “It proves that people can feel things, listen to things, and put immediate concerns aside for great things and moments. This is definitely the largest rally at Boston University in my years here at the University.”
With Marsh Chapel eerily illuminated, voices echoed prayers of wisdom, solace, and hope throughout the plaza.
The flag flew at half mast, and the crowd respectfully lowered their heads as rabbis, priests and chaplains read the names of the 29 Boston University students, faculty and staff lost last year, memorializing them by the glow of a candle.
Whether or not they had been directly affected by last year’s attack, many of those who attended the vigil said they did so out of respect for those who died and risked their lives to save others.
Caitlin McQuade, a College of Arts and Sciences freshman, said she attended to honor the people who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 attacks.
“Going to the vigil is a great show of respect for the men and women who were lost at this horrible tragedy,” McQuade said.
For Seamus McKeon, a CAS senior, the experience hit closer to home.
“My dad was a firefighter at the site of the attack,” said McKeon, whose father survived the ordeal. “This night is definitely a tribute, not only to those who were lost, but to the heroes who risked their lives.”
Eyes glistened, tears fell and a soldier offering tissues circulated throughout the crowd as it became very clear that those who attended this ceremony were immensely affected by the events of Sept. 11. Sasha Unkov, a College of Communication freshman said she felt the American people needed to stick together though the times of hardship.
“September 11, 2001, has made the American people realize that we need to come together and unite,” Unkov said. “History as we know it will never be the same.”
Gabe Goldman, a CAS freshman, said the attacks made him think more about his life and realize the things that were really important.
“September 11, 2001 has made me think a lot about my situation, my family, and about humanity,” Goldman said. “We all just need to forget the petty differences and unite.”
The ceremony was led by various religious leaders representing religions and cultures from all over the world. Karen Mulholland, the chaplain of the Catholic Center, said the event helped bring students together to remember those who lost their lives.
“It was evident tonight that the students really wanted to be together in silence and in prayer. Many of the students wanted to just stay and remember, even after the ceremony ended,” Mulholland said. “Tonight really showed that change has happened and will continue.”
Other students, such as Chrissy English, a COM junior, said they thought any event that could bring all of the races and religions at BU together was a worthwhile one.
“I think it’s really amazing to be able to bring together people of different races and religions on a day like this,” English said. “It really brings out the community of Boston University, and that’s what we really need.”
Ironically, throughout various moments of silence within the ceremony, only the sounds of life could be heard. The cars, the wind and the hustle and bustle of the city echoed the strength and continuity of life for which the ceremony seemed to call.
“My friends and I came to the vigil to commemorate this sad day,” said Kristen Stanford, a Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Services junior. “Life must continue, and the entire nation should try to be strong and show its support.”
Other BU students said the vigil was more than just a show of respect — it was a symbol of a new-found patriotism for members of the college generation.
“The future after September 11, 2001, is now a scary place filled with much uncertainty,” said Sean Cantwell a CAS freshman. “It is nights like this that really show the higher sense of patriotism that Americans now feel. We are the ‘generation of patriots.'”
And as the last prayer of the ceremony ended, no one seemed ready to leave. The crowd joined together, and a distinguishable chant of the “Star Spangled Banner” began to echo through the plaza.
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