The St. Joseph’s University, New York community honored the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at remembrance ceremonies on Wednesday afternoon.
The Office of Military and Veteran Services at the Long Island Campus hosted a changing of the flag ceremony outside of O’Connor Hall, which was attended by students, faculty, staff and local community members during Common Hour.
Offering a firsthand account of the attacks was Jason Ostrowe, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminal justice, who was serving as an NYPD officer in 2001.
“I am both privileged and unfortunate for having experienced firsthand the enormity of 9/11 in its spectacular horror,” he said. Dr. Ostrowe now uses his experience to lead his lessons in the classroom, giving students a better understanding of terrorism and policing in New York City in a post-9/11 world.
SJNY President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D. reminded attendees about the bond between our two campuses and the need to join together in commemorating this great tragedy.
“Our words are not enough to adequately commemorate those we lost on 9/11,” he added. “For those who died, those who died saving them and those who died of various illnesses caused by 9/11 since then, today we offer our hearts and gratitude in an attempt to honor them.”
The Brooklyn Campus community honored the fallen and their families through meaningful reflection in the St. Angela Hall Courtyard featuring members of Student Veterans of America (SVA) and the Student Government Association (SGA), as well as Father Juan Luxama, SJNY campus ministry assistant, and Rev. Charles Byrd, director of community outreach ministries at Brooklyn Community Church, Inc.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Barry, Ph.D. addressed the attendees, sharing that “9/11 is a difficult day for all Americans, and especially New Yorkers. It is a day we must always remember and a day we should use to honor those who died, and those who serve as first responders in our country.”
Three St. Joseph’s alumni lost their lives on 9/11: Jennifer Mazzotta ’00, Paul Rizza ’99 and Richard Catarelli ’76. In 2005, the Memorial Courtyard behind the Brooklyn Campus’ St. Angela Hall was dedicated to honor their memory.
