As the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks approaches, College Republicans executive director and College sophomore Jonathan Skekloff is coordinating a memorial in remembrance of those who died.
The memorial, sponsored by the College Republicans, will be held Saturday evening on College Green, beginning with the Glee Club singing the National Anthem at 6 p.m.
The group also plans to plant flags across College Green on Friday — one for every individual that died in the attacks. University Chaplain Chaz Howard will briefly speak and lead participants in prayer.
“We wanted to do something subtle,” said Skekloff, “something to remind students that it’s September 11th.”
In the years following the attacks, student groups have taken on a greater role in memorializing the date.
While in previous years, the College Republicans have cosponsored the event with other student groups like the Muslim Student Association, the group is the sole sponsor of this year’s event.
Despite the partisan affiliation, Skekloff contends that this event is not about politics or ideology. “This is a completely nonpartisan event,” he said. “Nine years have gone by and memories are short, but this is something we need to remember.”
However, not all political student leaders are satisfied with the way Republicans have framed Sept. 11.
“I have no issue with the College Republicans,” Penn Democrats President and College junior Emma Ellman-Golan said. “I have a problem with the national Republican Party capitalizing on 9/11.”
“It’s important that the Penn community comes together and honors the lives lost and affected on 9/11 through this vigil,” College Republicans President and College junior Peter Terpeluk said in response.
Ellman-Golan acknowledged the importance of commemorating the date, but contended that other efforts, like fixing the economy and creating jobs, deserve attention in this election.
