On the 22nd anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Student Veterans of Oakland University (SVOU) hosted a 9/11 remembrance ceremony and stair climb on Monday, Sept. 11, in collaboration with Veteran Support Services (VSS).
The event began at 11:00 a.m. at Elliot Tower with a rendition of Angels by Sarah McLachlan and the national anthem. Then, the attendees held a moment of silence in honor of those who lost their lives.
“I was four years old on this day [22 years ago],” Courtney Smith, president of SVOU, said. “I was four years old, and I remember vividly where I was and what I was doing. The terror that struck our nation was met with the courageous heroism of our first responders. Today, we honor all those who did not make it home to their loved ones.”
Glenn McIntosh, senior vice president for student affairs and chief diversity officer, spoke regarding the importance of unity among American citizens and thanked active military members and first responders for their service.
“9/11 was a wake-up call…we awoke to the idea that in the United States of America when we band together, we can do anything,” McIntosh said. “We can defeat any obstacle, any foe, and get through any barrier.”
Following a 21-bell salute in honor of the victims of 9/11, OU’s Recreation Center kicked off its “Strength and Spirit Fest,” which included a stair climb. Supervised by local firefighters, OU students, staff and faculty donned over 50 pounds of gear and attempted to climb as many flights as they could.
The event honored the efforts put in by firefighters on 9/11. The World Trade Center buildings were 110 flights tall.
Smith said she hoped the events would serve as a way to bring people together.
“I wanted to do something for the school that would open up some of our students’ eyes and make them a little bit more aware about what 9/11 is and how it happened because we do have younger students now who weren’t alive during 9/11,” she said. “I thought this would be a good way to bring people together and get our name out.”
Smith wanted to host the stair climb specifically so people could “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.”
“The stair climb is to make people realize what exactly the firefighters had to do. They had to climb hundreds of stairs,” Smith said. “I don’t expect everybody to be able to do that, but when you’re on those stairs with that gear and the weight, it gives you a better idea of what they endured that day, which, in my opinion, was a good way to honor them — to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.”
Student Rebecca St. Onge said she wanted to participate in the stair climb to show her respect.
“I want to show my respect for all of the people who sadly lost their lives during the attacks of 9/11 and show my respect for all the people who still continue to work in these fields, as detrimental to their health as it is,” St. Onge said.
Hailey Monroe, OU Recreation Center fitness coordinator, echoed a similar sentiment.
“It was hard. I took it slow at first, but I tried to sprint it at the end. I would say [I’m feeling] admiration for sure,” Monroe, who made 35 flights, said. “We didn’t even have the full gear. [The firefighters] said they add tools as well. Doing that in an emergency situation — just admiration. Very, very impressed with their physical fitness.”
Smith said she wanted to thank the Oakland Township Fire Department and police department.
“We’re really doing this to honor them and our first responders,” she said. “So as much as SVOU was involved, it’s not about us. It’s about them.”
