MSJC remembers 9/11 with ceremony at art gallery

A table with flags represents the countries that lost residents in the 9/11 attacks. (Courtesy of MSJC)

Press release from Mt. San Jacinto College:

Today, Mt. San Jacinto College honored the memory and impact of Sept. 11, 2001 with a poignant ceremony at the San Jacinto Campus Art Gallery. The event featured a compelling 9/11 Free Art Exhibition, open to the public until Sept. 12, showcasing news articles, personal stories, and artifacts related to the tragic events of that day.

The 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony included a moving keynote address by Steve Silva, a 9/11 survivor who recounted his harrowing escape from one of the Twin Towers. Silva, who was in Tower 2 on Sept. 11, 2001, as part of a three-week training program with Morgan Stanley, shared his personal experience and highlighted the resilience and courage displayed during the attacks.

He recalls, “A Port Authority representative told us not to look up. Of course, I immediately looked up in horror and snapped a picture of the burning towers.” Silva’s photographs from that day are now displayed at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.

Attendees had the opportunity to explore the impact of the attacks, learn about the lives lost, and locate names on the bronze panels at the 9/11 memorial pools in New York City. The ceremony also included solemn bell-ringing and moments of silence to mark significant times during the attacks, including the hits on the North and South Towers, the Pentagon, the crash of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the collapse of both towers.

Dr. Bertha Barraza, MSJC Professor in the Arts & Humanities Pathway and Founder and Chair of the 9/11 Commemoration Committee, remarked, “9/11 Terrorism changed the way we live today. We must teach people the power of hate but also the amazing things love can do. We must show compassion and love for those among us in order for us to truly be able to honor those who died in the name of hate. We will never forget!”

Dr. Roger Schultz, MSJC President/Superintendent, expressed his thoughts on the day’s significance, stating, “Today’s ceremony was a solemn reminder of the profound impact of Sept. 11, 2001. It is vital that we continue to reflect on the events of that day, honor the memories of those we lost, and recognize the resilience of the human spirit. Through this annual event, we reaffirm our commitment to remembrance and unity.”

The art exhibition and ceremony serve as a tribute to the heroes and victims of September 11, and MSJC remains dedicated to preserving the memory and lessons of this pivotal moment in history.