There were over 3,000 casualties, 19 attackers and millions of different viewpoints of what happened on September 11, 2001.
At 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:37 a.m. and 10:03 a.m., four American airliners were hijacked and flown into both World Trade Center towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Commemorating the 15th anniversary of the tragedy, President Stanley stated, “In your generosity and compassion for those suffering in loss and confusion, share their pain; offer your strength and support, and give comfort and attention. Hold one another close while we grieve for the enormous wound of today.”
Twelve of Oswego’s alumni were lost in the attack. Scott Bart ‘95, Michelle Bratton ‘00, Richard Caproni ‘89, Michael Cawley ‘91, Michael Collins ‘84, Wendy Morris Faulkner ‘74, Michael Hannan ‘89, Michael O’Brien ‘81, James Potorti ‘72, Leo Roberts ‘79, Melissa Renee Vincent ’94, and James Woods ‘97 are all honored in the September 11 Memorial by Glimmerglass Lagoon.
Scott Bart was an up and coming vice president at Marsh & McLennan. He spent his spare time reading the books his fiancee was teaching to her class, so he could have discussions with her about them.
Michelle Bratton was an extreme Madonna fan working to become a teacher and a diving coach.
Richard Caproni was a movie fanatic who had a laugh funnier than the joke itself.
Michael Cawley died while pursuing his childhood dream: firefighting.
Michael Collins was an active outdoorsman who also passed away while saving lives.
Wendy Morris Faulkner spent her days searching for ways to help those in third world countries. By the age of 16, she was sending packages filled with goods to those who could not afford them.
Michael Hannan was a family and friends driven man who worked alongside Bart at Marsh & McLennan.
Michael O’Brien was a top-bond trader on Wall Street. He was a practical joker and family man at heart.
James Potorti was able to “cook up a storm” according to his wife Nikki Stern. When he wasn’t doing that, he was spending time outside doing anything remotely active.
Leo Roberts was a rock and roll dad that never lost sight of what was really important to him: family.
Melissa Renee Vincent’s close friends remembered her “generosity and kind spirit” Lucille Vincent said.
James Woods took whatever action necessary just to make it to a Jets game and spent much time with his childhood friends.
On the bridge between Tyler Hall and west campus, there is a memorial in honor of these alumni, and many others, who lost their lives on this tragic day. The classes of 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 pooled their funds together and opened the memorial on September 11, 2005. The memorial has a garden filled with purple hydrangeas, autumn joy sedum and red winterberry. The hydrangeas are symbolic of heartfelt emotion and the sedum represents tranquility. Even students who do not necessarily remember the event think the memorial is an important aspect of campus.
“I think it’s a great way for family and friends to remember,” freshman Alexandra Zurbrick said. “It’s a reminder that we can overcome the past.”
In honor of the fallen, this past Sunday, Oswego State rang bells at each time a plane hit fifteen years ago. There was a short ceremony outside of Johnson Hall that morning where students shared a moment of silence together and spoke about what they remember.
