Solemn Day of Remembrance planned for Sept. 11

by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff

 Day of Remembrance is planned next week to commemorate the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

     According to planners of the event, the University will be open for business and classes will be held, though it is recognized that the day will be an emotional and difficult one for many in the community. "The University's Day of Remembrance is meant to promote love, compassion and forgiveness," according to the planning committee.

     The observance will begin in the morning as the Old Chapel bells toll at the times the four hijacked airliners crashed. Starting at 8:45, the bells will toll again at 9:02, 9:45 and 10:03. Each signal will be followed by a moment of silence.

     An evening ceremony on the Student Union lawn will begin at 6:45 p.m. with a performance by a string quartet. At 7, the Old Chapel bells will ring again; then Chancellor John Lombardi will speak. His remarks will be followed by words of remembrance from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim representatives. After comments by a student speaker, there will be a procession into the Student Union to honor those who died in the attacks. Those victims include nine alumni and a staff member at the Office of Information Technologies.

     At 7:30 there will be a reflective gathering in the Student Union for those who wish to share through writing, artwork, or discussing their thoughts about the events of Sept. 11. Music will be performed and light refreshments will be served.

     A special memorial Mass will be celebrated at 8 p.m. at the Newman Center.

     "This is an opportunity to reflect together upon how this tra-gic event has affected us and our way of life - and to find ways to face the future with hope," said the Rev. Richard Cleary, one of the campus's Catholic chaplains.

     The service is open to all.

     More information is available online (www.umass.edu/9.11/).