Annual Patriot Day at Academic Hall 2023

The Office of Military and Veterans Services at Southeast Missouri State hosted the annual Patriot Day service gathering in front of Academic Hall at 7:40 a.m. where nearly 3,000 American Flags were placed.

The display of mini American Flags represents the first responders, military members and civilians whose lives were lost in the 9/11 tragedy.

On Sept. 11, 2001, two planes crashed into the New York World Trade Center, one in the Pentagon, and the final one in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The University honors the fallen every year with service members of Cape Girardeau and active student members of the Show-Me-Gold Program and Air Force ROTC Detachment 205 Cadets.

ROTC Air Force Det 205 Commander Lieutenant Colonel Dwyer was on her college campus when the terrorist attacked. She rewinded time to when her Uncle was sitting in a morning meeting in New York City, six blocks away from the building destruction.

ROTC Air Force Det 205 Commander Lieutenant Colonel Dwyer spoke in honor tragedy that happened twenty-two years ago. She shares her uncles perspective and expresses to never forget.Photo by Kyrié Padberg

She said in the days that followed, the land was “plastered with red, white and blue” because the United States rose up and reunited.

“You didn't have to wear a uniform to feel like you were a part of the movement to reconcile the nation.”

Dwyer said it is important to remember those who lost their lives.

“Let us not allow the victims who died on September 11, to have died in vain at the hands of those who wish to threaten the American way of life,” Dwyer said. “Never forget them. Never forget the parents who lost their children or the children who lost their parents.”

Dwyer said the President and CEO of the National 9/11 Memorial Museum Alice Greenwald introduced a new campaign called 9/12.

This campaign is intended to help spread awareness to younger Americans who have only read or watched documentaries about the tragedy.

Cape Girardeau service members, first responders, ROTC Air Force and University Staff gather the morning of 9/11 in front of Academic Hall at Southeast Missouri State University.Photo by Kyrie Padberg