More than 2,000 American flags were spread across Fletcher Lawn on the West campus Friday in commemoration of those who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Gov. Jan Brewer joined Arizona House of Representatives Speaker Jim Weiers, R-Phoenix, and others to mark the day of remembrance at the 9/11 Never Forget Memorial Event, put on by the ASU West College Republicans.
Brewer spent her time at the podium recalling the last moments of those who died eight years ago.
She spoke about a California woman who left her husband an “I love you” message from one of the burning towers, and a man who spent his last moments on the phone with a stranger, just wanting to talk to someone.
Michael McAvoy, a Wall Street broker who spoke at the event, was in his office in Brooklyn that day and could see the World Trade Center from his office window.
McAvoy lost his brother and his best friend on Sept. 11.
“A day that started with a perfectly blue sky, was now awful,” he said. “Dust, smoke and paper was all that was left [after the first tower fell].”
McAvoy said he spent that day looking for loved ones and calling family and friends.
His best friend of 36 years was at work at the World Trade Center on the day that it fell, and his brother, although off duty, was one of the responding firefighters.
“It was truly our darkest day,” McAvoy said.
Thousands of men and women have dedicated their lives to protecting this country, he said.
“We must remember the sacrifice that all gave and still give for our freedoms each and every day,” McAvoy said.
Students and faculty alike stopped to listen to the memories as they made their way to and from classes.
Social and behavioral science freshman Dacia Simpson stopped to listen during a break.
Simpson said she commemorates Sept. 11 by watching the news, just as she did the day she heard of the attack.
“It’s a way to remember what I was feeling the day I saw it,” Simpson said.
History sophomore Glenn Niner said he enjoyed hearing the speakers reflect on the events of Sept. 11 and remember its importance.
Niner said he remembers watching news on Sept. 11, 2001, and how horrible the footage was.
“New York is a symbol of America and part of it is gone,” he said.
Rep. Sam Crump, R- Anthem, said he remembers the terrorist attack on Sept. 11 as his generation’s Pearl Harbor.
“This is about remembrance, vigilance and the future of patriotism in this country,” Crump said, adding that Americans owe thanks to those who have sacrificed for the country.
After Crump returned to his seat, Michael Broomhead, KFYI radio host and pro-troop activist, approached the podium wearing a navy blue T-shirt with NYFD logo that was dated “9-11-2001.”
Broomhead said what he remembered about that day was the way the country united. He recalled Congress gathering at the Capitol steps, holding hands and singing “God Bless America.”
“Our freedom, and the love that we have of that freedom has bound us together,” he said.
Reach your reporter at sarah.hotchkiss@asu.edu.
