Stony Brook Marks 25 Years Since 9/11

Stonybrook University is marking the 25th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks with an entire year of reflective events.

These events are designed to help a younger generation connect with this tragedy, which presents lessons that many Americans vow never to forget.

First up on the anniversary calendar is “Zones of Devastation: Writing Long Island into the History of Sept. 11,” which finds Stony Brook history professor Nancy Tomes delving into the disaster’s impact on Long Island.

“The talk I’m giving on Sept. 9 is a kickoff for a whole year that Stony Brook faculty and students will be reflecting on the events of Sept. 11 and their afterlives on Long Island but also New York. So, this is the beginning of a longer journey,” Tomes said. The talk begins 12:30 p.m. in Humanities Institute Room 1008 as part of its "In the Shadows of the Twin Towers" series.

As a professor, Tomes recognizes the disconnect between many of today’s students and the attacks. “They have no direct memory of 9/11, so the 25th anniversary this year is like a wake-up call that if we’re going to share with them memories and experiences, we better start working on it,” she said.

According to Tomes, Stony Brook has hosted a day a remembrance since 2002 because “we lost 21 alums plus many other friends and family.”

Long Island itself lost roughly 500 residents, but Tomes said, drew less recognition than areas like Staten Island. “I make a case in the talk for why it is important to have a Long Island perspective on 9/11,” she said.

Other events include “9/11: An American Requiem” on Sept. 10 at Staller Center and a 110-story climb at LaValle Stadium symbolizing flights at WTC on Sept. 13.