Program for Remembrance and Reflection: Opening Remarks by Gary Sandefur

Thank you, everyone, for coming, I’d like to welcome the students, faculty, and staff who have taken the time to be here. And I’d also like to thank the people from around Madison and Dane County who are with us. The university is proud to join with Dane County Board of Supervisors in hosting this event, and we see this as very much a community event. There has perhaps never been a more important time for us to recognize and cherish our common bonds and stand united as one.

I also want to extend a welcome to the international members of our community. The events of Tuesday, September 11, were an American tragedy such as this country has never seen. But above all they are a crime against humanity. Citizens around the globe weep for those lost in these attacks, and we are united by our desire to remember and mourn.

We have called this service, in accordance with President Bush’s designation of today as a Day of Prayer and Remembrance, to honor those who died as a result of Tuesday’s terrorist acts. These people were innocent bystanders caught in a brutal act of aggression. They were business people, office workers, firemen, police officers, cooks, students, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters. We grieve for them, and for their families, their friends, and their beloved.

We are also here today to lift up the many ways in which we, as survivors, can express our sorrow and our unity. Today, we will hear from a few people, who will share with us their own personal expressions of grief and respect for those who have passed. We’ll hear some songs — classic songs that I think we’ll all know by heart. You may wish to sing along, and I encourage you to do so. We hope that you will be moved to participate today, but we also understand that we all must follow our own path to understanding and healing. What we’re presenting here is not a universal solution. There is no right way to make the pain we all feel disappear. You must do what you feel is right for you, but I also ask that you respect those actions that feel right to others. Remember that we are a community, united by loss, by strength, by our condemnation of hatred and violence, and by our hope and desire to see a better day.

Let me introduce the people you’ll hear from today. In a moment, I will ask Dane County Supervisor Ruth Ann Schoer to speak for a few minutes and extend her welcome.

Then, Jessica Miller and Carl Camacho, chair and vice-chair of the Associated Students of Madison, will speak on behalf of students.

Our music will be provided by singers Bob Ohlsen and Jackie Colbert, with Leotha Stanley accompanying. These three are some of Madison’s best and most moving artists, and we’re glad that they could join us today.

The color guard of the Reserve Officer Training Corps is here and will present our flag. I want to thank the students from the ROTC program for their presence, which is important to them and important to us. As you know, these attacks have affected us in many ways, and students in the ROTC program deserve our support and respect for the sacrifices they have made and may be called on to make in the future.

We will also hear from Joe Elder, a professor of sociology and a professor of the languages and cultures of Asia. Joe is one of our brightest teachers, kindest people, and most compassionate leaders, and I know his words will be helpful to us in this time of reflection.

Thank you for coming, and I now welcome Ruth Ann Schoer to say a few words.