Remembrance at OCC Marks 9/11 Anniversary

A special American Flag was created at in remembrance of 9/11 Wednesday. The flag was created out of red, white and blue ribbon by students of the Performing Arts Center. Attendees were invited to attach yellow ribbons to the flag representing the nearly 3,000 victims killed in the attacks.

The American flag project was part of the “9/11: Ten Years Remembrance Ceremony” at the college. A U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard presented the American flag, the national anthem was sung and, after a moment of silence, in remembrance of the victims of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001, Mayor Martin Moylan, Margaret Lee, OCC president, and Shane Maxton, Student Veterans Club president, presented a wreath to honor the lives lost that day.

Lee told the crowd gathered near the main entrance to the community college she hoped we had learned that to live in fear and terror is the greatest threat to the freedoms we cherish.

"I hope we have learned that the ties which bind us together as human beings who share this fragile planet are more powerful,” Lee said.

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"I hope that we have learned, as we did so quickly after that first plane struck the north tower, that things are not always what they seem, and it is critical to understand the rest of the story,” Lee said.

“Let us always remember, let us never forget,” Lee said, To which Moylan agreed and said, “Here in Des Plaines, we will never forget.”

The mayor said we must continue to heal as a nation.

“I truly believe that we must never, ever completely forget the sting of that day 10 years ago," Moylan said. "Whether you live in Des Plaines, Ill., the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, the shores of the Carolinas or the port of New York, Sept. 11 must serve as a reminder of our nation’s perseverance, of our pursuit of freedom, democracy and justice."