Sept. 5, 2003

Student Association Plans Sept. 11, 2001 Anniversary Vigil

By Jonathan Turner

Rep. Eric Cantor (R–VA), a GW alumnus, is scheduled to present an address to the University community at a candlelight vigil organized by the Student Association to commemorate the second anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

The ceremony will begin Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, at 8:30 pm in the University Yard with the University ROTC Honor Guard lowering the flag of the United States to half-staff and performing “Taps.”

A Muslim member of the GW faculty or invited guest will lead those assembled in a prayer and a moment of silence to honor the memory of the victims of Sept. 11, 2001.

President Trachtenberg will give a brief speech on the impact the events of Sept. 11 have had on the GW community and will read aloud the names of the nine GW alumni killed in the attacks as Student Association President Kristopher Hart lights candles in their memory.

A representative of the DC fire department will commemorate the men and women in uniform who died on Sept. 11, and a 10th candle will then be lit by Hart in their honor.

Following Cantor’s speech he will light a candle symbolizing the unifying effect the tragic events had on the nation as participants on the stage and in the assembly sing “America the Beautiful” while the crowd lights candles of their own.

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