Many of us have vivid memories of where we were and what we were doing at the moment we heard the news of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Yet, today鈥檚 college students were very young and have learned about the attacks from other accounts.
This morning, on the 18th anniversary of the attacks, a small group of students, staff and faculty came together to remember the victims and to pray for peace. The brief service was led by Chaplain Paul Sittason Stark.
鈥淲e suffered many deaths that day. It鈥檚 been a major part of our lives. Many of us do not remember (that day), but many of us do. We remember where we were and what we were doing,鈥 Paul said.
Just as with other acts of terror in our nation and around the world, 鈥淲e need to respond.鈥
The response, Paul said, is to love and work for peace.
Today鈥檚 prayer service was symbolically held at Heidelberg鈥檚 Peace Pole in front of the Campus Center. The pole represents the greatest majority of the world鈥檚 languages and faith traditions. In that vein, those attending the service recited prayers for peace from various faith traditions, among them Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Baha鈥檌. The overarching theme was 鈥淢ay peace prevail on Earth.鈥
Those in attendance observed moments of silence 鈥渢o remember the victims of the day and all the victims of hatred,鈥 Paul said. 鈥淚 hope you will all carry these messages with you each day and seek peace on a personal level.鈥