Outlook Press - 9/11 Memorial Service: Remembering Our Fallen Heroes

September 14, 2010

9/11 Memorial Service: Remembering Our Fallen Heroes
By: Erin O’Brien

Outlook Press

On September 14, 2010, RCC held their 9^th annual memorial service in remembrance of Rockland county residents who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

RCC President Cliff Wood stresses the importance of this ceremony saying, “We have a responsibility to remember Sept. 11 and a responsibility to help our students understand and remember what happened that day”. 

The service, though well attended by RCC faculty and staff, saw fewer than ten students the event’s lowest attendance to date, though that’s not to say that the RCC community has forgotten the horrors of that day. 

“The attendance does trickle off a little more every year after the attacks”, says Dr. Elaine Padilla, “but I think this year was a little different.  September 11^th fell on a Saturday directly following a Jewish holiday (Rosh Hashanah).” 

Those that did attend witnessed a beautiful tribute to our fallen friends, family members, and neighbors whose deaths will forever be in our minds. 

The ceremony began with a few moments of silent reflection as soft music honored the victims. 

The service included RCC students who read off the names 88 members of the Rockland community that lost their lives on that horrific day. 

Students also led the service in the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem. 

The ceremony even included local Jewish leader and campus Rabbi Dov Oliver, who stopped by to blow the ram’s horn, which is done every year at the beginning of Rosh Hashanah representing the need for peace and understanding amongst all people.