LCCC remembers 9/11 victims with service, flag display on campus

ELYRIA — Many of Lorain County Community College's 13,000 students weren't born yet or were very young on Sept. 11, 2001, when the deadliest terror attack in world history struck the United States, killing nearly 3,000 people. With a large American flag hanging from the exterior of the Bass Library behind her, LCCC President Marcia Ballinger on Friday told a gathering of college community members that "for those of us old enough to remember, 9/11 is a day that is forever imprinted in our hearts and in our minds." "Some of you here today, many of you are students, are too young to remember the actual events, but you've grown up hearing and learning of the day that changed our lives together. Ballinger was on campus that morning, standing on the second floor of the College Center and saw television coverage of the attacks on video monitors mounted in the corners of the room, she said. "That particular morning, we were all frozen in time and horrified," she said. "In all of our grief, shock and sorrow, I remember and am encouraged by the intense feeling of unity and patriotism. The tragic events of 9/11 created a special bond in that historic moment in time — a truly unique and special moment of togetherness, of purpose, inspiring us to action to serve our nation, our community and each other." Ballinger also thanked the faculty and staff of the college who are teaching and training the next generation of first responders as well as future first responders in training at LCCC in the fire science, paramedic and EMT training programs and police academy who stepped away from their studies Friday morning to attend the ceremony. "As an institution of higher education, I feel it is our duty to carry on the memories of those lost and the lessons of goodness that emerged from those tragic events" and "the hope that came out of that day," she said. "It is our duty to ensure current and future generations understand this tipping point for our society and the importance of inclusion and valuing diversity." Elyria police Officer Mike Mullins opened the ceremony asking for a moment of silence in remembrance of those who died on 9/11, which was followed by Duane Dickson playing "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes. The Rev. Damian Ezeani, director of Mission and Spiritual Care at Mercy Health Hospital in Lorain, provided opening and closing prayers. He said a fitting Bible verse for the moment was Romans chapter 12, verse 15. "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn," Ezeani said. The human heart, he said, is still great "and good people will always triumph." Student Senate President Zarai Acquino also read Joshua Omaka's poem "A Brighter Tomorrow," which Ballinger said was fitting because "this is why we are here." "In our time of remembrance, in our sorrow, we can be the light for a better future," Ballinger said. "It is important for all of us to lean into this moment and demonstrate our best selves through service, compassion and unity." Conductor Rick Fortney and about a dozen members of the True North Chorale and Chamber Orchestra performed four selections at Friday's commemoration, including Z. Randall Stroope's "In Paradisum" — written "as a gift to honor those who lost their lives in this pandemic," according to Stroope's official website — as well as a musical version of the Pledge of Allegiance and both "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America." The free We Remember Memorial Concert, featuring the True North Chorale and Chamber Orchestra, will take place at 7 p.m. tonight in LCCC's Stocker Arts Center at 1005 N. Abbe Road in Elyria. The college on Friday unveiled a physical tribute to the dead: A giant star made up of 2,977 blue flags — one for each of the dead on 9/11 — in front of the Bass Library on the campus along North Abbe Road that will remain in place through Sept. 17. With the assistance of the Zappar smartphone app, the interactive display allows visitors to create a pair of Twin Towers in "augmented reality" within the circle at the center of the star, viewable on a smartphone screen, that was designed and constructed by artist Jim Gundlach and volunteers. The center of the star also includes four lights representing the four hijacked plans that crashed in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania on that day. Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday ordered all U.S. and Ohio flags on public buildings and grounds flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset, in honor of those killed in the terrorist attacks on 9/11. He also asked that all Ohioans observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. today, the time that the hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center 20 years ago. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com. Follow him @daveobrienCT on Twitter.