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À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Held Annual 9/11 Moment of Silence Ceremony

Sep 12, 2024
A photo from September 11's Moment of Silence Ceremony. Robert Vigneault, Assistant Director of the Office of Veteran and Military Services, is giving remarks at a small podium and microphone to a crowd of people who came to pay their respects.

Robert Vigneault, Assistant Director of the Office of Veteran and Military Services,  giving remarks at the University's 2024 Moment of Silence Ceremony.

On September 11, À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ hosted its annual Moment of Silence ceremony to honor the fallen heroes of September 11, 2001. The event, organized in collaboration with the University’s Office of Veteran and Military Services and the Student Government Association (SGA), took place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the Campus Green, located in front of the Ely Campus Center. This solemn occasion was open to both the campus community and the general public.

The ceremony began with opening remarks by Robert Vigneault, Assistant Director of the Office of Veteran and Military Services, and was followed by the first Moment of Silence, signified by a bell toll at 8:46 a.m. to mark the moment the first tower was struck. Additional bell tolls occurred at key moments throughout the morning at 9:03 a.m., 9:37 a.m., 9:59 a.m., 10:03 a.m., and 10:28 a.m., each signifying significant events from that tragic day.

Sam Lemanski, a firefighter for South Hadley and À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ State’s Director of Emergency Management, climbing the stair master in remembrance of 9/11 in full firefighter gear.
Sam Lemanski, a firefighter for South Hadley and À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ State’s Director of Emergency Management, honoring those who fell during 9/11.

Representatives from the Office of Veteran and Military Services and SGA were in attendance to provide information about the event and their services. Additionally, a mental health counselor was available to support attendees in need.

The ceremony included a special tribute by Sam Lemanski, a firefighter for South Hadley and À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ State’s Director of Emergency Management, and members of the Student Government Association (SGA). They climbed the equivalent of 110 stories—the height of the World Trade Center—on a Stairmaster, dressed in full firefighting gear. This powerful act of remembrance mirrored the endurance and sacrifice of first responders on that day. More information about 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs can be found on their .

For more information about the event or Veteran and Military Services at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, please contact Robert Vigneault at rvigneault@westfield.ma.edu or (413) 572-8370.