National Day of Prayer and Remembrance
Comments of President Karen W. Morse
September 14, 2001
Western Washington University Performing Arts Center Plaza, Noon
Welcome. I extend my gratitude to you on accepting this invitation to participate in a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for those who lost their lives in Tuesday’s attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C.
I stand before you today nearly speechless, trying to find within myself a still, small voice of calm that will make a difference in how we cope with these terrible acts and their very far reaching consequences. We saw the shocking destruction before our very eyes, felt the horror of what happened.
I struggle, as many of you do, to resume life as usual. Most likely we will never do so -- even though our daily routines will reestablish themselves. And we must continue to live full lives -- in part as a tribute to those our country lost. In our minds, however, the depth of the tragedy, the emotion and the loss experienced by so many, will always be with us.
Today, and for many days to come, we mourn with those who have suffered terrible loss. This week, the six degrees of separation have quickly been reduced -- so many of us have felt a personal connection to Tuesday's events. And each of us has experienced the tragedy -- the loss of innocence, of security, of confidence that each tomorrow will bring the same peace as the day before.
Today we are united. We are united by our horror at a terrifying act. We are united by our grief for those who died, for their families, for their friends. Today -- and in the days to come -- we must remain united, but not by anger, however justifiable that anger. We must be united by our commitment to preserve the strength of our nation, our true strength: the solidarity of a diverse people with a commitment to human rights and to freedom for all.
As today's ceremony continues, our student lifestyle advisors will distribute ribbons to each of you, to wear as a symbol of mourning and hope. As similar gatherings occur around the city, we may hear bells that draw us together as a community today -- the sound of hope.
I ask that you join in a moment of silence to honor the victims and their families, and to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of the individuals who are participating in the recovery efforts.
Since Tuesday, the US Justice Department has received reports of violence and threats of violence against Arab-Americans and other Americans of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent. The Bellingham Herald has also reported incidents that are not worthy of us.
If the events of September 11, 2001 teach us anything, it is that we
should commit to making this a more just and peaceful world. Our anger
and grief must not be about ethnicity. Our anger is directed at an
act by individuals who lost all sense of human perspective and appreciation
of the possibility of peaceful long-lasting solutions. What is required
of each of us is action -- considered action to make a safer world
for the generations to come. We should not indulge the passions of
the moment -- no matter how righteous they may seem.
We must reaffirm our faith and hope that stability will be restored
and that inner strength will govern our acts.
We, as an institution of higher education, must view the work that each of us does at Western as now more crucial than ever. The teaching and learning we do here is a powerful way to contribute to the evolution of a world in which acts of terrorism are inconceivable and where peace and freedom are valued by everyone. Particularly with students returning soon, we all have a tremendous responsibility to go forth with a new resolve for life, as we understand anew its brevity and uncertainty. And we must not forget that our country faces severe challenges that can divide us.
Freedom and individual liberties must continue to be the foundation of our country and they must prevail.
We should reflect on the meaning of the words of a song we learned as children:
Our country 'tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
Of thee we sing.
Land where our fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring.
And let it be freedom for all.
Thank you for coming today. May we all leave with a renewed sense of hope and unity.