Winthrop Remembers Devastating 9/11 Terrorist Attacks (09/05/24)

September 05, 2024

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ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - Winthrop University joins the country in marking the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

It is known as "9/11," shorthand for September 11, 2001, when four coordinated terrorist attacks were carried out in America by al-Qaeda, an Islamist extremist group.

Nineteen terrorists from al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes, deliberately crashing two of the planes into the upper floors of the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City and a third plane into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The Twin Towers ultimately collapsed because of the damage sustained from the impacts and the resulting fires. After learning about the other attacks, passengers on the fourth hijacked plane, Flight 93, fought back, and the plane was crashed into an empty field in western Pennsylvania.

The attacks killed 2,977 people from 90 nations: 2,753 people were killed in New York; 184 people were killed at the Pentagon; and 40 people were killed on Flight 93.

Winthrop President Edward Serna noted that the anniversary is a sad reminder of an important event in American history. "While most of our students weren't born when these horrific events unfolded, many of us still remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news," the president said in a campus-wide e-mail about the events.

He invited faculty, staff and students to join him on Wednesday, Sept. 11, to remember and reflect on the thousands of lives lost on that day. Wearing red, white and blue is encouraged.

The following three remembrance events will be happening on campus:

· 8:30 a.m., Tillman Fountain Plaza
The Winthrop community will gather for a presentation of colors, patriotic music, and a moment of silence at approximately 8:46 a.m., the exact time a plane struck the World Trade Center North Tower. Refreshments will be provided.

· 9-11 a.m., Winthrop Coliseum
Local firefighters, first responders and others will participate in a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb to pay tribute to FDNY firefighters by climbing or walking the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center and to symbolically complete their journey. Members of the community may drop by to watch and support these local heroes climb the facility's stairs, some in their full gear. Some Winthrop athletes may participate as well.

· 6 p.m., Coliseum South Entrance Lawn
The Palmetto Council, Boy Scouts of America, will host a Flags for Heroes event to honor those individuals who have made a significant impact on the community and/or country. Palmetto Council scouts will install 200+ American flags on the lawn near the south entrance of the Coliseum to honor veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, teachers, community leaders and others. There will be heroes recognition at 6 p.m. followed by an outdoor flag retirement ceremony at the plaza near the Shack. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at [email protected].