by Andreas Chenvainu and contributions by Josh Rota-Tebb
A crowd of BCC students and staff gathered outside the Pitkin Education Center on September 10th to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks.
In a series of speeches, the speakers encouraged attendees to reflect on the memory and legacy of the events two decades ago.
Greg Fenkart, Coordinator of Student Development gave opening remarks and introduced the event’s first speaker, BCC President Eric Friedman. In his address, Friedman highlighted the importance of remembering the events of that day while also stressing the obligation of passing the memories of 9/11 on to generations born without memory of the event.
“It remains crucial to us as educators to not only remember that day but to ensure we pass this remembrance onto this generation of college students,” he said.
Professor Joanne Piccininni, the Director of Bergen’s Paramedic program, gave a speech honoring the actions and sacrifices of the paramedics, firefighters, police officers, and other emergency service personnel. Piccininni spoke of the first responders lost in the attacks, including those she knew personally.
“We have come here to remember and commemorate the valor of those we have lost, the brave souls who went in to rescue those in need.”
SGA President Christina Feinroth spoke about the toll and legacy of 9/11. A student who was born after the attacks, she described how the attacks affected her life personally and the way memory of the event was passed down from friends and family who were alive to witness it
“One of the worst days of American history saw some of the bravest acts in American history, and they will never be forgotten,”
SGA Treasurer Amanda Kulesza shared her recollection of the world before 9/11, visiting the Twin Towers and the White House in a pre-attack world.
“It’s upsetting to think how drastically those experiences have changed since then,” said Kulesza.
She ended her speech with a tribute to the memory of those lost, thanks to the first responders whose courage she praised, and honors given to the service members who gave their lives to defend the nation.
Joli Nelson of Student Life concluded the event, informing those in attendance about the 9/11 memorial museum documentary playing by the entrance inside the Pitkin building.
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