On September 11, Mercy University students, staff and faculty remembered those we lost on that tragic day 23 years ago. Student athletes from all 10 teams gathered at the Tim and Lee Hall Pavilion in the Westchester Campus at 8 am to begin a commemorative procession to Mercy field, planting flags along the way. Once in the field, they congregated in the center of the field to hear a few words in a moving ceremony. Click here to watch video of the procession to the field.
“Today, we pause to remember the enduring impact of that terrible day. Twenty-three years later, the pain and the profound losses remain with us, and in many cases are no less acute than they were that day,” said President Parish. “However, so too does our resolve to honor those we lost and the spirit of unity that grew from the tragedy.”
Student Rita-Marie Masi, who was the flagbearer during the procession and plays women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse for Mercy, echoed the president’s sentiment. “It was a really tragic day for our country and doing this is a great way for us to honor those who sacrificed themselves for us,” said Masi. "My dad was there on 9/11 and thankfully he is okay but a lot of people I know lost family members and friends this day, so I want to say thank you again for coming out this morning.”
Konrad Motyka, executive director for Campus Safety and Emergency Management, recalled all those who responded to the attacks and lost their lives. “Of the nearly 3,000 people who died on that tragic day, there was one FBI agent, 343 firefighters and EMS workers, 23 NYPD officers and 37 Port Authority police officers.”
The ceremony ended with a moment of silence with the flag flying at half-mast.
In addition to the Westchester Campus ceremony, Mercy showed the 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the former World Trade Center site, now the 9/11 Memorial, on the TV screens in the Westchester and Manhattan campuses. In addition, students from the Manhattan Campus organized a visit to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and at the Bronx Campus, students distributed remembrance ribbons to wear as a symbol of solidarity and respect.