University of Missouri, City of Columbia honor lives lost on 9/11

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

To honor the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, the University of Missouri and the City of Columbia hosted its annual wreath-laying ceremony Wednesday morning.

The ceremony featured a procession and a flyover by an MU Health Care helicopter. The event also hosted the Mizzou ROTC Joint Service Color Guard, the City of Columbia Honor Guard and speeches from Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, Mizzou Naval ROTC Captain Thomas Ulmer and MU Provost Matthew Martens.

During the ceremony, speakers shared what they were doing 23 years ago, and how this day signifies unity for our nation.

"I remember the silence of campus," Buffaloe said. "I remember us all kind of looking at one another, not knowing what was happening."

The wreath-laying procession was led by members of MU's Veterans Center and Missouri Task Force One. The task force is a 62-person group of Missouri responders who, for 14 days, helped search the wreckage of the World Trade Center.

Katie Clark, a native of New Jersey, attended the event. Many commuters from Monmouth County --where Clark grew up -- who worked at the World Trade Center lost their lives that day.

"My take away from today's ceremony was really acknowledgment and respect," Clark said. "Feeling so far from home, being in Missouri, it brings me some pride to live here."

During his speech, Ulmer encouraged the nation to stand united and stay committed to the ideals of freedom, justice, and peace.

"We must remember that the tragedies of 9/11, it's not just one of tragedy, but it's of hope and it's of resilience," Ulmer said. "It is a reminder that in the face of adversity, we are capable of extraordinary things."

Music was provided by Boone County Fire Protection District Pipe and Drums.