8/30/02

AU, CITY OF AUBURN TO REMEMBER SEPT. 11 ATTACKS WITH DAY OF EVENTS

AUBURN --- Auburn University and the City of Auburn will honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with day-long activities aimed at remembrance and understanding.

"Though last year's terrorist attacks took place hundreds of miles away, Auburn did not escape without loss," said AU President William F. Walker. "We lost alumni, supporters, family and friends and, like the rest of the country, we lost a sense of security.

"It's only appropriate that we should take time on the anniversary of one of the defining events of our lifetimes to honor the memory of those lost and pledge ourselves to doing all that we can here at Auburn to bridge gaps of understanding that contribute to such crimes against humanity."

The "Day of Remembrance" will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a gathering for the raising of the U.S. flag at Samford Hall. The flag will be raised by representatives of the police and fire departments and the military, many of whom will attend the ceremonies. Some 300 AU ROTC students will be present in uniform.

Beginning at 2 p.m. and lasting through 8 p.m., the Red Cross will conduct a blood drive at Colonial Mall in Auburn. The Landscape of Sorrow photographic remembrance of the attacks opens at 2 p.m. at Greystone Mansion, located at 434 E. Magnolia Ave., in Auburn. And, at 3 p.m., AU and the city of Auburn will participate in a national moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of last year's attacks.

The evening's events begin at 5 p.m. with a PEACE (Programs Emphasizing Acceptance, Change and Education) Dinner sponsored and prepared by AU's International Student Organization. The free dinner at the Foy Student Union Ballroom is open to everyone and will feature Turkish, Chinese, Egyptian and Indian foods.

The culmination of the day will be an evening memorial ceremony beginning at 7 p.m. on the Samford Lawn featuring remarks by Peter Verga, the Pentagon's senior official on homeland security, and Walker.

It will also include music by the AU Orchestra, AU Concert Choir and soloist Tim Jackson, an F-16 flyover and 21-gun salute, and presentations of flags to Auburn Mayor Bill Ham and the family of John Michael Spann, an AU alumnus and former Marine who, as an officer of the Central Intelligence Agency, became the first U.S. combat casualty in Afghanistan following the terrorist attacks.

The evening memorial will close to bagpipe music.

"We will conclude the day on Samford Lawn, gathering much like we did last year with a candlelight vigil in the days immediately after the attacks," said Nancy McDaniel, AU assistant vice president for student affairs. "The students in our Student Government Association, Black Student Union, International Student Organization and others have worked very hard to plan events that will properly memorialize those who lost their lives.

"I encourage everyone connected with the university and everyone in the city of Auburn to join us in this day of remembrance."

# # #

aug02:AU-sept11

CONTACT: McDaniel, 334/844-4710.