A Saturday night on Court Street in Athens is not quiet on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The usual drunken party-goers plague the streets. Employees of restaurants that are open late still unlock restrooms for partiers and clean up their messes.
The inconsiderate loudness of the night’s events escape from the mouths of sorority girls and fraternity boys alike. Sloppiness is the new black, and they’re all wearing it, even on the eve of tragedy.
It seems that an array of disillusion and belligerence has almost overcome the idea that we all are part of the terrorist attacks in a way.
Whether you knew a victim or not, we all died a little when the planes struck those towers. I was in the third grade when it happened.
“Kids, something very bad has happened. We have to send you home.” The words from my teacher Mrs. Hilberling still ring out in my mind. “Something very bad.”
This scenario played out in my mind as I walked through College Green around midnight of Sept. 10, 2011. The red brick streets comforted my weary mind. I stopped to notice a series of flags outlining the American flag just outside Templeton- Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. The sign stuck in the grass of the oldest institution in Ohio read “9-11”. My heart did a turn inside my chest, even though I did not know someone personally who was killed that day.
I figured I’d go over to the few who were standing around the vigil-esque set up and tell them how noble they were. As I got closer, I noticed they had sleeping bags and assorted food and drink items stowed away. They were sleeping outside next to the vigil. A man holding a flute-like instrument played a somber tune on the steps of the auditorium.
I introduced myself to a couple of members of the Ohio University College Republicans. I spoke with Wil Lloyd and was introduced to Ryan Dilworth, officers of the club.
“It was a joint effort this year, which was nice.” Lloyd said, on working with the OU College Democrats and the Student Senate. The blurring of party lines was appropriate, as every American feels sorrow on the subject.
As I said goodbye to the few who were spending the night I was handed a pin and a sticker that read “9-11 Never Forget.”
I thought about all the media and press coverage on the 9/11 attacks. All were based on the subject of not forgetting the sacrifices that were made by everyday people in America’s day of need.
When I reached South Green I looked up to the sky, noticing some grey clouds that seemed almost smoke-like parting to reveal the moon.
This image added to the eeriness of the night and reminded me of the images of the smoke filled towers on my TV in 2001.
I guess you could say that most people do not stop to remember all that happened that day.
People are too caught up in what they’re going to wear to Mill Street, or how hungover they’ll be the next day, but it’s people like the organizers of the vigil that I just stumbled upon that are in tune with the effect of 9/11.
Tess Stevens is a freshman studying journalism.
