Taken from: The Gustavian Weekly Sept. 11 survivors
share experiences
We all have our stories of Sept. 11, yet living in Minnesota, the majority of the campus had to experience the tragedy through mass media leaving us geographically separated from the emotion of the day. On Wednesday, April 10, Pastor Rick Del Rio, firefighter John Picarelo and Jeremy Del Rio, a New York lawyer, came to the Gustavus campus to share their own close encounters with the attacks. Their purpose was to bring a better understanding of what it was like and to show the undeniable hope that rises from the ashes of Ground Zero. Pastor Del Rio, Picarelo and Jeremy Del Rio brought their own versions of hope to campus through sharing experiences of the past and visions for the future. Pastor Del Rio said the event "introduced a whole new paradigm for us [clergy]." He also suspected foul play since the beginning. "As soon as I saw the first tower, my reaction was, 'That's terrorism.'" For Picarelo, Sept. 11 was a horror. He lost 343 of his co-workers that day. Picarelo spoke of a fire chief and some firefighters who told him to go and come back with help just before the second tower collapsed, saying, "Unfortunately, that would be the last time I would see any of them." He saved himself by diving in front of a truck just hundreds of feet from the towers. The lecture was created by Campus Activities Board (CAB) and was not a part of a tour. Instead, the men came for the sole purpose of sharing with the Gustavus community. Senior Nate Mitchell of the CAB Executive Board hoped this night impressed upon the campus the hope of the tragedy. Mitchell said, "It [Sept. 11] was a horrible thing, but there is good that works through the bad, a light in the darkness and hope in the worst event in the history of the country. Patriotism. Humility. Love." Mitchell and those involved with the event wanted it to highlight the legacy of Sept. 11 rather than focusing on the horror thereof. It is this legacy New York City is currently debating. On April 9, the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. unveiled rough plans for Ground Zero. It includes plans for a major transit hub with houses and retail space. Also included in the plans are blueprints for a memorial site with a museum of freedom and remembrance and plans to recover streets lost 35 years ago. However, building would not begin until 2004. Like the emotions surrounding Sept. 11, rebuilding is an extremely sensitive issue. Though authorities anticipate more specific plans to be released by June, public opinion will still be taken into consideration for years. Public input is highly encouraged and there are many outlets for students to let their voices be heard. Gustavus also has the potential for adding to the legacy of Sept. 11. Mitchell added, "With college being a time in life to prepare for the rest of our lives, I hope that this event will urge people to pursue noble careers and lives of service in love." When Pastor Del Rio says goodbye he expresses it through saying "God Bless" in an attitude that shares his own hopes for the legacy of Sept. 11 and tries to imbue others with the same hopes for the future. Some ways to give input include filling
out a form on a Web site sponsored by the Widows' and
Victims Families' Association found at www.911wvfa.org/redev.html
and sending ideas to wtcmonument@aol.com or contacting
the New York City mayor's office. Other information is
available on the New York City Web site, www.nyc.gov. |
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