9/11: A Day to Never Forget

by Corey Frazier

Students, faculty and staff joined together at West Virginia University at Parkersburg to commemorate Sept. 11, 2001. The commemoration ceremony is held annual on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This year’s guest speaker was Secretary of Defense and former Wood County Sheriff Jeff Sandy. The ceremony included multiple speakers including Mike Dooley and president Chris Gilmer. WVUP’s color guard raised the American flag to half mast and selected faculty and staff rang the college bell. The ceremony was concluded with Heather Skidmore singing “America the Beautiful.” “It is absolutely outstanding to memorialize 9/11. The American people have trouble memorializing tragic events,” Secretary Sandy said when asked if it is important to memorialize 9/11.

Above: Sam Winans, Chair of the Board of Governors, President Chris Gilmer, Secretary of Defense Jeff Sandy, and Kurt Klettner, Director of Student Support Services (Left to right) look on as Mike Dooley delivers the opening introductions to the 9/11 Commemoration.

Above: President, Dr. Chris Gilmer, delivers his speech and introduction of Secretary Jeff Sandy. Jeff Sandy, also former Wood County Sheriff, was selected as the memorial’s  guest speaker.

Above: Secretary Jeff Sandy delivers his speech. Sam Winans, Chris Gilmer, Kurt Klettner, and Mike Dooley (Left to right) look on.

Above: Guests look on as Dr. Torie Jackson, Division Chair of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social Sciences, rings the college bell. The college bell is rang every year during the commemoration by select faculty and staff.

Above: Heather Skidmore, joined by attending guests, sings “America the Beautiful”. “America the Beautiful” is sang to conclude the ceremony.