God Bless, Go Ravens, and Never Forget

On Thursday in York Performance Hall, the Student Government Association (SGA), along with some other student volunteers, hosted the 9/11 Day of Remembrance and Service. The event also featured emergency management services around Madison County who came to Anderson to present all students with opportunities for volunteering and internships. This special 9/11 event was also very memorable for students as when they entered they received both a pamphlet of events and speakers for that day, as well as a custom Anderson University 9/11 coin designed by SGA president, Elili Sutton, to remember this very important day.

“We will always remember, be prepared, be proud, and be there,” said Madison County Emergency Management and Office of Homeland Security Director Lynn Edens, the first main speaker of the event. Quoting John F. Kennedy’s iconic expression from his 1961 inaugural speech of asking what one can do for their country, Edens brought attention to the selfless service demonstrated during the events of 9/11 and described how every individual involved in public safety, regardless of their badges or accolades, all work towards one goal. He honored the various first responders in the audience, from firefighters to medical professionals, and invited those gathered to applaud for them. Edens was an essential part of making AU’s Day of Remembrance and Service possible and a close friend of the National Security program at AU.

A speaker who emphasized the importance of supporting local communities during times of crisis was Ashleigh Presnar, Deputy Director and Chief of Staff for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Public Safety. She explained that part of her job is making sure federal and state funds are released to residents after emergencies. For example, that support often goes to people in Madison County who are hit by severe weather.

“Disasters begin and end locally,” Presnar said, emphasizing the importance of local communities being prepared and involved in both response and recovery.

Steve ‘Bronco’ Broniarczyk, Protective Security Advisor of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), held his memory of 9/11 close to his heart during his speech. Recounting the day with vivid memory, he shared how following his time at a Kansas base, he had gone home to Wisconsin and had asked his wife if he could go help those impacted by the event. His wife replied, “Go. I got this.”

“Service is a family event,” Broniarczyk stated in his speech. This is a sentiment that spoke volumes throughout all three of the speakers’ messages, and it is something that should not be forgotten following 9/11. Previously in the event, AU President Scott Moats mentioned how first responders “run towards danger and not away.” This tragedy allowed for communities to come together to create a difference on a national and local scale.

This community building is an important part of making sure that those who were impacted by 9/11 understand that they are not alone. In remembering the event, those who were severely impacted and those who rushed to help are given the opportunity to see that they are remembered with respect and will continue to be in many people’s hearts and prayers. Let what Elili Sutton closed off the Remembrance event reign true: “God bless, go Ravens, and never forget.”