Press Release
Posted September 13, 2021

To commemorate 20 years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Lorain County Community College held a remembrance event for the LCCC campus and the community. The event included the unveiling of a large-scale remembrance display, featuring an augmented reality component of the Twin Towers.

Augmented reality includes “Left and Right Twin Towers” by Leonardo Zarzuela is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Held Friday, Sept. 10 on the lawn in front of the Bass Library, the event took place with a backdrop of a 25-foot American flag hung on the side of the building. Nearly 100 LCCC students, employees and community members filled the grassy area, to remember, reflect and honor the 2,977 innocent lives lost 20 years ago.

“Amazing Grace” played on bagpipes by Duane Dickson of the Cleveland Music Group set the tone of the somber event, followed by a moment of silence led by Elyria Police Officer Mike Mullins. LCCC President Marcia J. Ballinger, Ph.D., shared her memories of Sept. 11, 2001, as well as inspiration for the future.

“September 11 is a day forever imprinted on our minds and on our hearts. Like many of you, I remember vividly where I was and who I was with when I first learned of these tragic events,” said LCCC President Marcia J. Ballinger, Ph.D. said. “In all of our grief, shock and sorrow, I remember and am encouraged by the intense feelings of unity and patriotism that emerged after the attacks.”

To honor the lives lost, LCCC created a 9/11 Remembrance Display that includes blue flags in the shape of a star to represent the 2,977 individuals who tragically died in the attacks. The center of the star features four lights representing the four hijacked planes and their four locations of impact. An additional augmented reality feature is available via visitors’ smartphones, which projects a semi-translucent image of the Twin Towers inside the star. The display will remain open to the public through Friday, Sept. 17.

Those who died on Sept. 11 included 441 New York City first responders, a powerful loss brought close to home as nationally 80 percent of first responders train at their community college. The statistic is true for Lorain County, where LCCC is the number one training location for first responders in Northeast Ohio.

“Thank you, first responders, for all you do. I value greatly the strong partnerships we have with all of our law enforcement agencies, health care partners and other first responders in our community. It is our commitment to serve you by providing the top talent you need to best serve our community,” Ballinger said.

To close the program, the TrueNorth Cultural Arts Center chorale performed patriotic selections, and Ballinger encouraged those in the audience to keep alive the memory of those lost on Sept. 11.

“As a country, as a community and as a college, we vowed to never forget Sept. 11 and to honor those who lost their lives by committing ourselves to service, unity, empathy and inclusiveness,” Ballinger said.

Learn more about how LCCC is commemorating the 20th anniversary of September 11 and view videos and photos of the remembrance display.