Alverno Students Honor Local Heroes

Students at Sierra Madre’s paid tribute to the victims and heroes of 9/11 on Sunday with a service lead by the campus ministry. Firefighters from the were also on hand to be honored as local heroes during the memorial service.

At the event, each student was given a red paper heart bearing the name of one of the victims of the terrorist attacks and asked to pray for that person and their family.

Students also wore multi-colored bracelets meant to represent the many different groups of people who were killed in the attacks including men, women, firefighters, police officers, spouses, students, children and parents.

Just as Alverno senior Amanda Lira finished her rendition of the National Anthem, and firefighters made their entrance, which was greeted with a standing ovation.

Later, the Alverno Mass Band closed the service by playing John Lennon’s “Imagine.”

“The September 11 prayer service was molded by the Campus Ministry students. Together we thought of what September 11 means for our nation today, ten years after the attacks,” Campus Minister Susana Capra said in a statement following the event. 

“We wanted to focus on hope and peace and remind our community that we are all one, beyond our borders. Students shared their memories of that day and what it means for their religion, culture and family.