Anthony Thai ’13
On September 11, 2001, the lives of Americans everywhere were changed forever when Al Qaeda terrorists hijacked four planes and murdered almost 3,000 innocent lives. Each year, the nation is reminded of the tragic events and innumerable sacrifices of not only the selfless rescuers ten years ago but also those fighting battles on foreign lands today. Episcopal has had a strong tradition of 9/11 chapel services that not only help to commemorate the event but also teach students and faculty to apply those lessons of ten years ago to their own lives. Faculty member Kris Aldridge recalls how, four years ago, Middle School Chaplain Reverend Zug did a “demonstration with red, white and blue boxes, revealing those things which he held most dear and which were affected by the events of 9/11.” Aldridge also remembers how, two years ago, Sean Casey, a friend of EA alum Jeff Cole, who died on 9/11, “delivered an emotional address about Jeff’s character and how he was an example to his classmates at Episcopal,” encouraging the Episcopal community to follow his footsteps. Most recently, during last year’s 9/11 address, Michael Smerconish, radio broadcaster and Episcopal parent, told us how seconds mattered so much on that day and how we as the Episcopal community needed to make every second of our lives count in order to honor 9/11 victims. However, compared to previous gripping and memorable 9/11 services, this year’s chapel lacked the depth and connection to the events and ideals of 9/11. Although the subtle commemoration of 9/11 could be seen in the singing of the National Anthem and the playing of Taps and Reveille, signaling that our nation is both mourning and rising from the ashes, 9/11 itself was rarely explicitly mentioned. Students from the V Form have noted, “the chapel did not seem to make a big deal about 9/11,” and that “it was not as powerful.” In preparing for this commemorative chapel, Reverend James Squire, Episcopal’s Upper School Chaplain, noted that he and the Vestry felt “additional pressure this year because it was the tenth anniversary.” Squire emphasizes that the chapel “was meant to express dignity and be prayerful, striving to honor those who died and those in mourning while also celebrating our nation.” While there is no denying the dignity of the chapel service in achieving those three purposes and the fact that it brought the Episcopal community closer together, the overall subtlety of the events of 9/11 seemed to detract from the service. There was simply not the same emotional atmosphere and commemorative focus, mainly due to the lack of a riveting speaker. However, students should know that the Vestry attempted to bring in John Lehman, member of the 9/11 Commission, to speak in chapel. He was set for the date when, unfortunately, he was called to Congress at the very last moment. Lehman will instead be coming in to speak in late October. In this respect, Squire and the Vestry should be praised for bringing in a speaker connected with memorializing the events of 9/11 and dedicated to remembering its fallen heroes . Nevertheless, despite the circumstances, Lehman’s speech will not erase the lack of a commemorative atmosphere apparent in this year’s 9/11 chapel.