W&M remembers 9/11

In remembrance Kenneth Russell, a freshman at William and Mary, prayed during a Sept. 11 observance in the College's Sunken Garden on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008. Photo by Stephen Salpukas.

In remembrance Kenneth Russell, a freshman at William and Mary, prays during a Sept. 11 observance in the College's Sunken Garden on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008. Photo by Stephen Salpukas.

Changing of the guard (Left to right) Dale Gartman, Eduardo Moreno, Andy Fiorillo and Jon McAlister of the College's Queens' Guard changed places during the Sept. 11 observance in the Sunken Garden. Photo by Stephen Salpukas.

Changing of the guard (Left to right) Dale Gartman, Eduardo Moreno, Andy Fiorillo and Jon McAlister of the College's Queens' Guard change places during the Sept. 11 observance in the Sunken Garden. Photo by Stephen Salpukas.

Mother and son John Grant, 3, and his mother Linda Grant, an associate professor of military science at William and Mary, righted fallen flags in the Sunken Garden during the Sept. 11 observance. Photo by Stephen Salpukas.

Mother and son remember John Grant, 3. and his mother Linda Grant, an associate professor of military science at William and Mary righted fallen flags in the Sunken Garden during the Sept. 11 observance. Photo by Stephen Salpukas.

by Staff | September 11, 2008

The College of William and Mary marked the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks today in a variety of ways.

The Wren Bell rang four times this morning, once for each of the planes that were involved the attacks. At the Sunken Garden, the College's Young Democrats and Young Republicans placed small flags in the lawn to represent the people who died during the attacks. Additionally, members of the Queens' Guard posted a memorial wreath at the entrance to the garden at 8:30 a.m., and members of the guard will keep watch over it until 4:45 p.m.

"September 11th was a defining moment for our country as a whole. More specifically, it fundamentally changed our generation,” said Andy Fiorillo ('09), commander of the Queens’ Guard. “The Queens' Guard takes pride in being able to serve the College by allowing students and faculty to pause and remember the victims of this tragedy. It is our hope that by creating a space of remembrance at the heart of our campus, we can unite as a community in order to honor those who have fallen and those who continue to serve."

Also today, the Wren Chapel is closed to the public from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. so that members of College community can spend time there in private reflection, prayer, and meditation.

Finally, luminaries will be placed in the Sunken Garden this evening.