New Mexico State University’s Air Force and Army ROTC will commemorate the tragic events of 9/11 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 on the Horseshoe on the NMSU campus. The event is open to the public.
Twenty years ago, the most lethal attacks in U.S. history happened when terrorists highjacked four commercial airliners and crashed into both World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.
“The NMSU Army and Air Force ROTC's ceremony honors the memory of the thousands we lost 20 years ago and will mark a day that changed the lives of all Americans,” said Lt. Col. Mark McClellan, NMSU Army ROTC commander and professor of military science in the College of Arts and Sciences. “The remembrance ceremony will help to bring the memories of the events of 9/11 closer to the students of NMSU, many of whom were not born when the terrorist attacks occurred.”
NMSU ROTC cadets will begin the memorial with a silent run after the first firing of the canon at 8:46 a.m., the time American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center. At 8:50, cadets will have a brief memorial service and the honor guard will post colors.
ROTC cadets will fire the canon five more times at 9:03 a.m. for United Airlines Flight 175, 9:37 a.m. for American Airlines Flight 77, 10:03 a.m. for United Airlines Flight 93 and twice more at the time each of the twin towers fell. The last firing will be at 10:28 a.m.
The NMSU Fire Department will also be flying the garrison flag on the Horseshoe from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. in honor of all those who lost their lives.
“The past 20 years in America, and certainly for American servicemen and women, has been shaped by the events on Sept. 11, 2001,” said Lt. Col. Dana Bochte, NMSU Air Force ROTC commander. “Taking the time to honor the loss endured that day and acknowledge how it has affected an entire generation is an important part of the continual healing process for our nation.”
To learn more about the event, contact Patti Alarcón at 575-646-4030 or email palarcon@nmsu.edu.