Featured photo: Terry Baker-MCC Jazz Band Member presents the U.S. Army Bugle Call
Written by Tanya Terry
It’s been over two decades since planes crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, and a ceremony was held at Mott Community College (MCC) in remembrance of the date Americans from across the country commonly refer to as 9/11 and those who risked their lives because of it.
Ann Figueroa, chair of the MCC Board of Trustees, attended the ceremony and talked to the Courier about the memories from September 11, 2001 the ceremony stirred up for her-both bad and good.
“My daughter was actually in New York at the time,” she stated. “She was going to school. Her first day of class was September 11, 2001. So, I was with one of the families holding our breath, waiting to hear about what was going on in Manhattan.”
Figueroa shared she did not hear from her daughter right away after learning about the tragedy that took place that day.
“We didn’t hear from her until midday,” she explained. “It was a big sigh of relief. But it was still strained-because at that time they didn’t know whether there was going to be any further attacks. She had to go through police lines to go to her dining hall in college. So, there was a lot of tension for at least a month.”
Figueroa remembers many of the students going home. But her daughter, Melissa Figueroa Balint, stayed and graduated.
Figueroa also shared she had a friend who was supposed to be in the Twin Towers but called in to play golf and another friend who dodged the attack due to running late.
“That’s how close these things hit home.”
Sergeant Eric Rodgers, MCC DPS, gave the 9/11 Reflection at the ceremony, saying on that day 410,000 first responders, survivors and clean up crews were exposed the heavy toxins. They breathed in air heavy with toxins from 400 tons of crushed concrete, glass and asbestos.
“Since that day 4,500 of those individuals have lost their lives due to illnesses directly resulting from that attack,” Rodgers added. “Their voices are silenced. Their families are separated. But we live on. We can speak for them. We united as a country on that day, and we need to continue to unite today. At that time, colleges didn’t matter. Race no longer mattered. Those things that seemed big at the time became miniscule…There were no more Democrats or Republicans. We were all Americans.”
Rodgers stated throughout our history when we have faced challenges, great words have been spoken. He added some of these words have been memorable.
“I have not yet begun to fight,” Rodgers quoted. “That should be one of our sayings every day as we fight injustice that happens around the world. We should fight prejudice that happens daily. “
Rodgers said we should fight against anything that attempts to tear us apart.
He led the crowd in a prayer, remembering the pain of 3,000 families who lost loved ones on that day, as well as the pain of the additional 4,500 men and women who lost their lives as a direct result of the events of that day-some much later. Over 4,000 frontline workers have died according to the CDC.
Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, president of Mott Community College, gave presidential remarks during the ceremony said she felt “moved” following it.
“I think the message was, as a nation, we have to go back to remembering how unified we were during this period and to remember that we are all Americans-no matter our opinions. We have to voice what this country was built upon, which was bravery and freedom.”
Flag raising was done by the MCC Police Department Detail, a ceremonial song was sung, “God Bless America,” was sung by Alexis Mallet, a fellowship recipient and vocal major.
Dr. Matthew Packer, adjunct music faculty, was present as director of choirs.
Terry Baker, MCC jazz band member, presented the U.S. Army Bugle Call.
Jeff Bussere, support staff specialist for the social science/fine arts/music area at MCC, called the ceremony “beautiful”
“The speeches were incredible,” he added. “The music was incredible. Everything was wonderful. Just remembering what happened that horrific day, it puts you right back there. The men and women and people who gave their lives we can never repay.”
A beam of twisted metal from the World Trade Center stands at MCC’s Prahl College Center Building as a reminder of the events of September 11, 2001.
