Sororities hold vigil in same fashion as 2001's

By Amy Roberts

Small beacons of candlelight burned brightly Thursday night as sorority members stood in a somber circle to remember the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the people who died.

The Panhellenic Association at Fresno State sponsored a candlelight vigil in the center of Sorority Mall for the campus community that began at 9:11 p.m.

The passage of two years has not dimmed memories or the desire of people to gather together to pay tribute to heroes both living and dead. In response, this event marks the third time the association has offered a place to meet. Following the initial attack, the group held a spontaneous vigil.

“ It was an immediate response to have a memorial that night followed by another one a year ago,” said Connan Campbell, greek advisor.

This will definitely continue to be an annual event, he said.

“ It’s still just as important to remember and honor those who lost their lives,” said Kacie Elder, president of the organizing group.

September 11 continues to evoke vivid memories and strong emotions. Some of the words mentioned by those attending the vigil included: devastating, sad and renewed patriotism. Elder continues to loop through images of Sept. 11, 2001, in her mind. She recalls exactly where she was when she heard the news and how she left her early morning class to seek more details, still hoping it wasn’t true.

The six sororities organizing this year’s event expanded it to include patriotic elements. Elder opened the event by singing the National Anthem. A brief message was read by Kaeli Edwards to remember Fresno State alumni Vincent Tolbert, who died in the Pentagon, and Todd Beamer, a passenger on Flight 93, which crashed into a Pennsylvania field.

“ As an army of one we will never forget and continue to show pride in our country,” Edwards said.

Her remarks were followed by a moment of silence. Attendees were invited to share feelings and memories before Lisa Fazio, president of Delta Gamma, closed the ceremony with her rendition of America the Beautiful. Sorority sisters joined in and finished in song in unity.

Afterwards, Sara Graef and Deborah Pappace hugged. Despite being the presidents of two different sororities, Alpha Xi Delta and Delta Zeta, respectively, they came together in a common bond.

“ We can all share the emotion and come together as a group of sororities,” Graef said.

Pappace finished the thought by saying, “We’re united by the feelings we share about this specific event.”

“ The sororities put together a simple event to remember those who sacrificed for our country. I hope we never forget,” Campbell said.