Students remember Sept. 11

National Day of Service and Remembrance, better known as Sept. 11, brought students together around the flags on the Deans Green early Wednesday morning.

Students joined in a circle of about 17 to remember 9/11 and share stories, readings, a moment of silence and prayer.

Amanda Tallman of Detroit, Mich., began by thanking those who came. Tallman also read a section of a letter sent out Tuesday by the President of the United States, Barack Obama.

“Amid shattered glass, twisted steel, and clouds of dust, the spirit of America shone through,” Tallman read.

After reading from the document, Tallman stated everyone should pray for the community; for those affected immediately, and those affected now from the tragedy of Sept. 11.

Shawn Banzhaf of Chadron was the next speaker. He was called to war after 9/11. He read a verse from the Bible, Psalm 91.

Banzhaf said, “I would read this before every combat mission, but was unable to finish it once. That time we got hit hard.”

Evan Baker, 20, junior of Ord, also read a verse, Psalm 22, and gave a short story.

Jodi Banzhaf of Chadron was last to speak. She gave her remembrance of that day and how she did not have anxiety because of her church.

After the individual speakers, everyone joined hands and took turns giving prayer for Sept. 11, 2001, the troops, and everyone who has been affected by the war.

The students ended the prayer and casually spoke with each other for a moment, remembering, before parting ways for the day.