Our knees still buckle every time we see the images of the World Trade Center exploding in a sea of flames. Our frustration mounts with every passing hour that the brave men and women of the New York Police Department and New York Fire Department fail to encounter any survivors amongst the rumble that was once the World Trade Center. The horrors of Sept. 11 will never be forgotten.
These times of grief will never be forgotten.
But just as Americans have done countless times in our history, we answered the call to defend our freedoms. In the aftermath of the calamity that followed this horrific attack on freedom has emerged a new, fortified America. An America of unanimity and patriotism has shown the world why we are the greatest civilization in the history of this earth. It takes more than one sock in the jaw to knock this country down for the count.
For the me, my patriotism proved too strong for opposing political ideologies. Like the people across this country of all walks of life, I put aside differences to pray for those who have been directly affected by the unspeakable acts a week ago last Tuesday.
United as Americans and as fellow members of the Class of 2002, I propose an idea for our class gift. The Idea: A memorial in remembrance of those Penn State graduates or otherwise a part of the Penn State Community who lost their lives in the attack on America.
What could be more seemly, more appropriate to represent our class to future generations of Penn Staters? To remember the victims and to remember how the class of 2002, among other classes of Penn Staters, have come together, erecting this memorial as our class gift would only be the greatest gift our class could give to this university we love so much.
For the generations before us who watched their fellow classmates die in foreign conflicts and other acts of terror, this memorial would serve as a call for remembrance for those victims from the Penn State community in national tragedies of the past.
Indeed, the campus of Penn State University is among the few state schools in this country that is void of any memorial to those who died in foreign wars.
Let us never, ever forget this attack on our country. Let us never forget the innocent who died as a result of this most cowardly act.
With this monument, let us display our commitment to preserving their memory in a way that no history book can.
During the coming months the Undergraduate Student Government will take up the issue of our class gift. Classes of generations past added to the tradition and beauty of this venerable campus with their gifts.
The goal of those in the class gift committee, USG, and President Justin Zartman is to hit a homer the likes of which Barry Bonds could only dream of. USG will carefully considering a set of options regarding the class gift, an possibly the memorial proposal will be included.
Regardless of whatever affiliation you may have with the USG, you can make yourself heard on this subject. Your USG Senator wants to know what you think. If you don't already have an established connection with your representative in the Undergraduate Student Government, you reach him or her at www.clubs.psu.edu/usg.
Simply open the "Legislative Branch" link and e-mail the appropriate senator.
This opportunity to show what the people of Happy Valley and the Class of 2002 here at Penn State are made of, I believe, cannot be missed. My thoughts are with those who were affected by the terrorists attack and the people of Penn State will always hold those brave souls in our heart and in our minds. Let's do what we can to further this long and difficult hearing process, whatever the fate of our proposal may be.
And always, God Bless America.
