This morning, members of the IUP community gathered in the Oak Grove to pay tribute to the events of the September 11 attacks in New York, Washington D.C. and Shanksville.
University President Dr. Michael Driscoll opened the panel of speakers by reminding students and staff members of the events before, during and after the attacks and how they shaped the course of the nation. Driscoll concluded his remarks by saying while we should always express gratitude for military personnel and first responders, we will never forget those who lost their lives on that day.
Another speaker was Danny Sacco, a lifelong resident of Center Township who was deployed to Ground Zero on the day of the attacks, and has been recognized for his 50-year career in public safety. Sacco recanted arriving at Ground Zero, saying the losses were “unimaginable.”
Sacco also shared a story regarding his daughter Suzanne, who worked for Spirit Cruises at the time, and how her staff helped first responders throughout the course of the day.
The ceremony ended with a rendition of Amazing Grace, which was performed on the bagpipes by Thomas Dumm, an IUP Class of 1970 alumnus. While that played, cadets with IUP’s ROTC program placed three wreaths at the 9/11 Memorial, one for each of the three IUP alumni who died in the attack on the World Trade Center. Those being Donald Jones, William Moskal and William Sugra.
President D. Michael Driscoll speaks at IUP’s annual memorial program marking the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on September 12, 2022.
Danny Succo, a lifelong resident of Center Township, who was deployed to Ground Zero in New York City in September 2001, speaks at IUP’s annual memorial program marking the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on September 12, 2022.
IUP ROTC cadets place wreaths in remeberance of the 3 IUP alumni: Donald Jones, a 1980 graduate; William Moskal, a 1979 graduate; and William (Bill) Sugra, a 1993 graduate, who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks during IUP’s annual memorial program marking the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on September 12, 2022.
A flag hangs off of the side of Sutton Hall during IUP’s annual memorial program marking the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on September 12, 2022.
Members of the Indiana County Sheriff’s office attend IUP’s annual memorial program marking the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on September 12, 2022.
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