SEMO ceremony marks 25 years since September 11 attacks

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — Students, first responders, service members, construction crews and community leaders gathered at Southeast Missouri State University on Friday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The ceremony honored the 2,977 people killed in the attacks and reflected on the courage and national unity demonstrated in the aftermath.

“Nearly 3,000 lives were lost that day,” said Amanda Woods, SEMO’s military and veteran services officer. “People who went to work, boarded airplanes, reported for duty, or simply began an ordinary day. With every expectation that they would be home that evening.”

Cape Girardeau Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal Drew St. John said the attacks were intended not only to take American lives but also to break the country’s spirit and spread fear.

“Ultimately, it didn’t work,” St. John said.

In the hours and days following the attacks, first responders ran toward danger, communities supported grieving families and people across the country came together.

St. John said the tragedy “lit a fire in the lives of Americans” and reminded the country that it is “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

The ceremony also emphasized the importance of continuing to commemorate Sept. 11 as the number of Americans with firsthand memories of the attacks declines.

“September 11th happened before they were born — that makes gatherings like this even more important, because remembrance cannot belong only to those who were there,” Woods said.

Those gathered at SEMO honored the people killed, recognized those who served and reflected on the unity that carried the country through the aftermath of the attacks.