Viewing of the National Geographic 9/11 Documentary – Photo by John Petty
By John Petty, Catholic Editor
Sept. 11, 2026 marks the 25 Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks. In honor and remembrance of those who perished on that tragic day, Aquinas College held a memorial event in Wege Ballroom, from 2:00-5:00pm.
On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, four commercial airliners were hijacked by Al-Qaeda terrorists. Two were flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center complex, one was flown into the Pentagon, and another was diverted and crashed into a field in Pennsylvania, thanks to the actions of the heroic Americans onboard who thwarted another potential target. Hours after the initial attacks, both towers of the World Trade Center collapsed. In total, 2,977 Americans were killed. To this day, many continue to die because of health complications as a result of the attacks.
Al-Qaeda–led by Osama Bin Laden–orchestrated the 9/11 attacks in response to US support to Israel, as well as an increased military presence in the Middle East following the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and the Gulf War. There were other radical-islamic terrorist attacks that preceded 9/11–such as the World Trade Center Bombing of 1993 and the Khobar Tower Bombing at a USAF installation in Saudi Arabia–but none having nearly the same magnitude as 9/11.
Following the 9/11 attacks, the United States and NATO declared war on the Taliban after they refused to give up Bin Laden, and invaded Afghanistan. In 2003, the United States also invaded Iraq after speculation of WMDs came to the attention of the Bush Administration. In 2011, Osama Bin Laden was killed by SEAL Team 6 in Operation Neptune Spear, and his body was dumped into the ocean. In 2021, the United States pulled all military forces out of Afghanistan, and the Taliban quickly reasserted control of the region.
Welcome sign – Photo by John Petty
A quarter of a century later after the attacks, the psychological, emotional and physical effects of 9/11 are still felt, nationally and individually. It is felt by the families who had one less spouse to kiss, children who had one less parent to drive them to school and the first responders who dug through the bodies and rubble looking for survivors.
“Remembering 9/11–and holding space to mourn and reflect–does more than honor the 2,977 people who died and celebrate the thousands who survived,” Service Coordinator Joey Dearduff said. “It allows us to hold that same pace for victims of other acts of terrorism and senseless evil. Violence has become so overwhelmingly common that we risk growing numb to it. As the deadliest terrorist attack in human history, 9/11 gives us a space for us to resist that numbness–to refuse simply scrolling past another headline about ‘just another’ shooting, bombing, or act of hate.”
The Aquinas Counseling, Health and Wellness Center collaborated with Campus Ministry to put this opportunity together, in hopes of keeping this remembrance alive, so that future generations will never forget such a tragedy.
Campus Ministry Service Coordinator Joey Dearduff began the memorial by reflecting on everyone present; some were undergraduates themselves at the time, others children and current undergraduates were not even born.
North tower display – Photo by John Petty
Dearduff then spoke about the displays posted around the room, including photos detailing the events of the day as they unfolded. Below each of the photos and their captions were selections from Psalm 88. Dearduff explained that Psalm 88 was a Psalm of lamentation, and unlike most Psalms of its sort, it did not end in praise or thanksgiving. Rather, it ended in the same tone of desolation with which it began.
“The clip of the plane hitting the first tower will never stop being horrifying,” senior Matthew Sloan said. “The memorial Campus Ministry put together did a really nice job conveying the events of 9/11 and tying in pertinent verses for reflection.”
9/11 display – Photo by John Petty
After Dearduff concluded, Fr. Robert Keller, O.P. opened the memorial with a prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows. Following Keller’s prayer, a National Geographic documentary was shown. The documentary included interviews with witnesses and first responders, including FDNY firefighters, WTC workers and others. Attendants of the event were free to walk around and view the displays.
Body of FDNY Chaplain Fr. Mychal Judge, OFM, is carried away (display) – Photo by John Petty
Snacks and refreshments – Photo by John Petty
Throughout the event, staff members from the Counseling, Health and Wellness Center, as well as Campus Ministry, were present to console and aid attendants as needed.
“Especially on the 25 anniversary, it’s incredibly important to not only honor the thousands of lives lost but also the brave people who saved so many others,” Sloan remarked.
“Remembering 9/11 helps us hold onto our humanity: our compassion for our neighbor, our sorrow against hatred, and our hope for a better future,” said Dearduff.
