Northwest Missouri State University - Tower Yearbook (Maryville, MO)

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D EMI BY Bi rsY Lfi As the crowd amassed, hundreds of voices rose together, creating a dull roar. Pinned memorial notes surrounding the Bell Tower waved softly in the wind, a silent reminder of the reason for the gathering. The sky was slowly darkening as the crowd gathered for the candlelight vigil Sept. 11. Student Support Services organized the vigil as a way to bring people together to memorialize the event. I came here tonight because of my love for the country, Michael Long said. I ' ve always had a lot of pride, but seeing everyone ' s faces tonight inspired me. Before any speaker rose to the podium the atmosphere was similar to any other social gathering. People in small groups conversed about nothing more prophetic than their daily events, weekend plans or class schedules. However, the moment a voice crackled over the loudspeaker, breaking through the crisp night air, silence prevailed. No shifting, no movements and no noise occurred for a moment. Only the shuffling of students trying to catch a glimpse of the American flag proceeding down the sidewalk broke the silence. Following the flag presentation, Provost Taylor Barnes attempted to express the day ' s meaning. No words can describe the insane acts we witnessed, Barnes said. As we gather at our Bell Tower, a symbol of freedom, we are tragically reminded that freedom is not free. Barnes and the Director of Campus Ministry Marjean Ehlers addressed onlookers gathered to remember the events of Sept. 1 1 , 2001 . The candlelight ceremony began after the final speaker Student Senate President Kara Karssen k?ft the podiiun. tu With soft grass underfoot and the harmonies of the Alliance of Black Collegians Gospel Choir floating into the air, the flame spread through the crowd. The candlelight created a s ift glow in the quickly darkening sky. Following the flag, the crowd began a procession toward the International Plaza. People cupped their candles, protecting the symbol of peace from the wind. When we were gathered at the tower, 1 thought there were maybe a couple hundred people, Mary Bossong said. Then when we started walking I thought, ' Oh my God, all these people are here to show they care. ' It was truly moving to see so many people here. Over a thousand people, still clutching their melting candles, made the walk through the flagpoles at the International Plaza, to gather near Colden Pond. As members of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia performed the Star Spangled Banner, members of the crowd hesitantly added their voices to the hamionies. It unified us as everyone joined in, Kelly Hucke said. You could hear so much emotion in their voices. Softly singing the Lord ' s Prayer as the crowd dispersed, members of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia hugged each other warmly; a few wiped away tears. The Lord ' s Prayer is always so moving to me, Chris Shobe said. The words are so powerfril. According to Shobe, the gathering at the candlelight vigil was not enough tOa sufficiently memorialize the event. fl It ' s a start. 1 think it ' s sad to see thar- we couldn ' t come together like this before the terrorist attacks, Shobe said. We need to keep doing it, remembering those wh o died and showing our pri de. 9 m ' FPATIK rS

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