Twenty-three years have passed since the tragic events of September 11.
Fairfield’s Wounded Warrior Project – whose goals are “to give back to America’s wounded soldiers, giving them the support to begin their journey to recovery” – along with the Campus Ministry hosted a ceremony at the Stag Statue, not only remembering the nearly three thousand lives lost, but also to celebrate the heroes who risked their lives for others.
The ceremony began with a reading of the fourteen Fairfield University alumni who passed away during the events of September 11:
Michael R. Andrews ’89
Jonathan N. Cappello ’00
Christopher J. Dunne ’95
Steven M. Hagis ’91
H. Joseph Heller ’86
Michael G. Jacobs ’69
Michael P. Lunden ’86
Francis N. McGuinn ’74
Patrick J. McGuire ’82
William E. Micciulli ’93
Marc A. Murolo ’95
Christopher T. Orgielewicz ’87
Johanna L. Sigmund ’98
Christopher P. Slattery ’92
Logan Morris ‘25, president of the Wounded Warrior Project, then got up to speak.
When asked before the ceremony he said, “it’s one of the most binding events to happen in our country… we still see it’s bringing students together in this environment” and “[students] know the cause is right – putting aside differences, what they’re busy with, and other distractions… supporting something that is important.”
To finish off the tribute, local police officers lowered the flag down to half mast while the crowd watched in silence.
Current undergraduate students were born after the events of September 11, not having experienced first hand what truly transpired that day. Students that attended the event share what this ceremony means to them.
“It was a beautiful tribute and was very special to me considering my parents knew people who died in the attacks,” said Kelly Cook ‘28.
Senior Angelo Corsini disagreed saying, “it was disappointing to me… I’ve gone to the 9/11 service all four years now… I feel like this time the crowd turnout was definitely less than normal and the event itself was shorter.”
Students stayed for a while before eventually heading back to their daily lives – but for a brief fifteen minutes the sense of community here at Fairfield was strong. Red, white, and blue candles were left surrounding the Stag Statue to honor those lost.