InterFaith commemoration to memorialize anniversary

Freshman Lindsay Bell's only concrete plans for the weekend include going home to Greenfield. Ordinarily, this might not be enough to raise an eyebrow, but since Saturday marks the third anniversary of two planes hitting the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, it feels a bit empty.\n"I've done things in the past with my high school," said Bell, a graduate of Greenfield Central High School, "but I don't have any plans for this year."\nBell said it's not apathy that drives her decision; she simply is unaware of any planned commemoration events.\n"If I knew of something going on, I'd probably go," she said. "There's definitely a good chance."\nAlthough the fanfare of anniversary tributes appears to be absent this year, memorials have not disappeared. Both on and off campus, Bloomington will respectfully remember the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.\n"I've been involved in organizing (memorials) in the past," said Dan Enslow, organizer of the InterFaith commemoration. \nEnslow has organized a new kind of remembrance ceremony, one that makes its audience participate and challenges them to think about what has happened in the years since the terrorist attacks.\n"Tensions have mounted in the past year," Enslow said. "This is a way for the (audience) to share what they've learned and bridge the gaps between cultures and religions."\nEnslow said his program, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in Dunn Meadow Saturday, is not simply a devotional program, but is a chance for participants to share their thoughts on the terrorist attacks and what has happened since then.\n"It's essentially a three-part program of people sitting in circles sharing their visions of the future," Enslow said.\nThe discussions will be followed by a chance for participants to share poetry, songs and even dances sharing their feelings about Sept. 11. However, Enslow is quick to emphasize any political material should not be brought into Dunn Meadow.\n"It's simply out of reverence," he said. "We don't want to turn it into a partisan political commentary. There's lots of time coming up for that. This is about spiritual solutions."\nEnslow has invited a variety of spiritual leaders to participate in the event to add an interfaith dynamic.\nDean of Students Richard McKaig said that since the attacks there have always been programs in Dunn Meadow, so he was happy to secure it for the memorial service.\n"I was actually wondering myself what was going on on campus as far as commemoration, so I was pleased when I was approached by the InterFaith Commemoration," he said.\nAlong with the ceremony in Dunn Meadow Saturday evening, those who wish to remember Sept. 11, 2001, can participate in the Bloomington Township Volunteer Fire Department open house from 2 to 6 p.m. at 5081 N. Old S.R. 37. \nAt 2 p.m. a memorial service will be conducted to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks.\nAlthough Enslow said the newness of the attacks is wearing off, it is still important to remember what happened.\n"We need to look at what we've learned," Enslow said, "and decide where we go from here."\n-- Contact senior writer Kathleen Quilligan at kquillig@indiana.edu .