Yesterday, WT’s Student Government and KWTS joined together to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
KWTS’ General Manager Tyler Sweeney said that on Sept. 11, 1971, the radio station went on air for the first time. On the day of the attacks, the station did not know if they should celebrate the station’s birthday or not. However, they decided to keep with the tradition.
“Not celebrating history is what the terrorists wanted,” Sweeney said. “But, to not celebrate those who died Sept. 11 will be unfair.”
Therefore, the radio station decided to plant what is today known as the “Freedom Tree”, located outside of the JBK. Every year, the station ties ribbons on the leaves of the tree to commemorate Sept. 11.This year, KWTS joined the Student Government for the commemoration.
“Student Government asked if we had a plan with the freedom tree,” Sweeney said. “They mentioned making a curbing.”
As part of this year’s memorial, a curbing was made on the “Freedom Tree” with a plaque to accompany it.
As part of the event, butterflies were released as a symbolic act.
“[The butterflies] are a symbol of peace, beauty and hope for a bright future as a strong country,” Miranda Knippers, student senate public relations committee chair, said.
The event also featured a short speech by Dr. Stephen Severn, director of writing programs. He reminded students that Sept. 11 was also a normal day at some level.
“It reminds me that you have to be vigilant,” he said.
Severn also reminded students that as a country, the United States has some problems that citizens need to be aware of. However, he said that there is the opportunity of freedom not found in many other countries in the world.
“We need to give thanks and commit to make sure every average day is better than the day before,” Severn said.
An average of 80 people attended the event. For Frederick Williams, a WT student and veteran of the army, the memorial was solemn and was an opportunity for the WT campus to come together and remember what each was doing ten years ago.
“I was in Saudi Arabia getting ready to take a military mission,” Williams said. “I had been there for two weeks.”
Knippers said the event was significant for her as an American citizen.
“We [Americans] are a family unit and part of my American family was devastated that day.”
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