September 10, 2021
Dear William Paterson Community,
Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania that took the lives of nearly 3,000 people. The two decades since have seen the loss of many others, including first responders, due to their experiences on and in the wake of 9/11. Our region had to endure more than most. A quarter of the victims were from New Jersey, alone, including many of the first responders who sacrificed their lives that day in an effort to save others and those who participated in the months-long recovery effort. That is why “Never Forget” means more here, in our Northern New Jersey community. “Never Forget” is ultimately an affirmative call to always remember, and to always keep the victims in our hearts and their loved ones in our prayers.
Across the Hudson River, in Lower Manhattan tomorrow, people will read the names – one at a time – of those who were lost that day. By reciting every name, they are saying that each mother and father, every brother and sister, son and daughter, every friend and neighbor who was lost mattered and deserves to be remembered. If we are to truly honor them, we must pair the painful emotions of what happened with the inspiring examples of how they reacted – first responders, members of the military, and everyday citizens, alike. They responded with bravery, with heroics, and with kindness for friends and colleagues, but most often for total strangers.
For all the divisiveness in our world today, let us also never forget their legacy of service and sacrifice, which lives on in the form of those who followed in the footsteps of first responders, service members, and others who quietly do good deeds, day in and day out, throughout the year. On this most solemn of occasions, the William Paterson community remembers the victims, mourns their loss, and keeps their families in our thoughts. We also salute our veterans, active duty and reserve members of our military, and our first responders – including many William Paterson alumni – who sacrificed that day and who continue to serve. I hope you can join me at tomorrow’s football game, where we will honor veterans, first responders, and frontline workers during a halftime ceremony on Wightman Field.
Thank you, and take care.
