College commemorates Sept. 11 anniversary with Garden of Peace

Christine Vines Guest Writer

Members of the Vassar community observed the five-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 through their own quiet and personal remembrances, without any official gathering or service.
The College encouraged students to reflect on the anniversary, and to participate in the Garden of Peace.

“We invite you to take a moment out of your day to reflect and to place a flower in the Garden of Peace on the north walkway to the [All Campus Dining Center] and to Noyes House,” wrote J.J. Jackson in a campus-wide e-mail.

On Monday morning, buckets of brightly colored flowers were placed in and around Main Building, the Library and ACDC with notes that invited individuals to take flowers and place them in the garden as an act of remembrance. The Garden of Peace was originally created in memory of those who died on Sept. 11, 2001.

Because Sept. 11, 2006 marked the fifth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, Assistant Dean of Studies Susan Correll and Director of International Services Andrew Meade thought that the date would serve as an appropriate starting point for the Countdown to Peace, a period of reflection that will culminate in a vigil on the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.

Correll said, “I think it’s beautiful and very dignified, just intended to be a personal reflective moment.”

A 1981 United Nations (UN) resolution designated the International Day of Peace to promote the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples. In 2001, the UN amended the resolution to fix the date on Sept. 21 and to call for global ceasefire and non-violence as integral parts of the Day’s observance.

In past years, the College has held a scheduled ceremony for students, faculty and other members of the community to attend. Choral groups sang in tribute and those who were affected or who wanted to honor the victims gathered together.

This year, however, there was no service. Accolade was instead given throughout the day through a more individual approach, which many students appreciated. “It is necessary to address the emotional level and good to do so in such a personal manner,” said Ally Brill ’10.

Some new students noted that they felt that memorials ought to be held in conjunction with peace activism.
“Part of remembering tragic events is to learn from them,” said Emma Larson ’10. “It is important to think about why we were attacked and re-evaluate how we relate to the world.”

Maya Borgenicht ’10 agreed. “While remembering those who died is necessary and productive, it isn’t everything—it needs to coexist with an awareness of the reasons and motives behind it.”

Some observers opted to express their political opinions on the path by the Garden of Peace and on the College Center patio. Alongside the flowers, chalk-written messages revealed some of the unresolved tensions that many continue to relate to Sept. 11, five years after the attacks. Some of these messages read, “Stop the terror: impeach Bush” and “40,000 Iraqis dead—feel safer yet?” and “9/11 ≠ Iraq.”

Meade noted that the remembrance is “in no way a statement pro, con or neutral about what anyone has come to associate the day with.”

Still, he said that he also understands that “the remembrance stirs the emotions, and these might not just be sadness. Awareness and dialogue are also very important.”

Correll added that she considers awareness to be a significant aspect of this year’s Sept. 11 remembrance at Vassar. “Because the attack was five years ago, the student body is now entirely different and would not necessarily have known the meaning or location of the Garden without this event,” said Correll.

Meade called it “a garden meant for contemplating global issues and international peace, as well as a wonderful resource for students.”