By Steve Esser
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. 鈥�听It’s听hard to believe听it鈥檚听been 25 years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 took place in New York and at the Pentagon. For some,听it鈥檚听an event they hear their parents or family members talk about. For others,听it鈥檚听burned into their memory, like it was just听yesterday.听
For 杏吧原创鈥檚 Assistant Professor of Business Katie Stone, 9/11 is a memory she revisits every year. Her uncle,听Frank J. Callahan鈥� 50鈥� was a captain of Ladder 35听for the New York Fire Department. He was among听the听first听of听the听first听responders who rushed to the scene after the听planes听crashed into the Twin Towers. He perished in the collapse of the towers,听attempting听to rescue those in the buildings.听
鈥淢y uncle is a hero,鈥� Stone said. 鈥淥n Sept. 11, 2001, he helped without hesitation and lost his life serving others.听His legacy听impacts听me still.鈥�听
Callahan joined听the FDNY in September 1973鈥� fulfilling a听childhood dream of becoming a firefighter. After 24 years in the FDNY鈥� he rose to captain and joined Ladder 35 a few months later.听He often referred to the role听as听being the only job he ever wanted.听
In recognition of the听25th听anniversary of a听horrific event that stole听nearly 3,000听lives from us,听杏吧原创 will be remembering that day and honoring all those touched听by the events.
Among the activities that day include:听
- Tabling event for handwritten notes.听A table will be set up in the RCC on Sept. 9-10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for students to write out personal notes for first responders, thanking them for their service.听
- Biscuit giveaway for first responders.听First responders throughout the area are being invited to the campus to receive a free breakfast biscuit in appreciation of their sacrifice and service to the area. They’ll also receive handwritten notes from students thanking them for their work.听
- Moment of silence.听Faculty and students will honor the memory of 9/11 with a moment of silence in classes on Friday.听
- Stair climbing challenge.听Students, faculty, and staff are invited to the challenge to climb 110 flights of stairs on Sept. 11 at the RCC. More details to come.听
- 杏吧原创 Soccer.听First responders get free admission to the women’s and men’s soccer games on Saturday, Sept. 12.听
“The 9/11 anniversary is something I will always keep close,鈥� Stone added. 鈥淚t is an emotional and important day to remember those we lost and loved.鈥�听
