Tree
planting pays tribute to 9/11
By Todd Leland
On-line Forty-Niner
In
a quiet and respectful ceremony Wednesday
morning a tree was planted on the grass
near the Cal State Long Beach Foundation
Education Center to commemorate Sept. 11.
The tree was planted as a tribute to, and
in memory of, the thousands of lives lost
on Sept. 11 of last year.
“A lot of people woke up this morning and
felt they needed to do something,” said
Brian M. Nowlin, director of human resources
for Cal State Long Beach Foundation. “That
is why we are out here today.”
The event was well attended with some 60
to 70 people in attendance to reflect upon
and remember Sept. 11.
“Most of the people here work for the Foundation,”
said Nowlin. “We have classrooms on the
second floor of the building so a number
of students are here as well.”
The ceremony started with the Pledge of
Allegiance led by Bridgette Pruitt of the
Foundation followed by a brief welcome address
by Robert Behm, executive director of the
Foundation. The poem “One Voice” by vlraynes
read by Noelle Longmeyer preceded a moment
of silence that denoted the emotional effect
of Sept. 11.
“The ceremony brought back a lot of sad
memories,” said CSULB student Francisco
Santana. “It was a very sad time for our
country and I feel sad for all the families
that lost.”
A bell rang out three times to end the moment
of silence and the sedated crowd watched
as the tree found solace in the confines
of the earth. The tree was planted by Clint
Collins, an account manager from CSULB Environmental
Care.
“It is an honor and I am happy to have done
it,” said Collins. “It (Sept. 11) has taken
a long time to sink in. It is hard to find
the words but the events of that day were
surreal.”
Once Collins had the tree planted Kim Brown,
an employee with the Foundation, led those
in attendance in song with “America the
Beautiful” while each individual took a
turn watering the new tree from 10 ceremonial
canteens.
The event brought back a lot of memories
and gave many in the crowd time for reflection.
“I woke up this morning and watched television
and then came here and it just brought back
a lot of visuals,” said CSULB student Noriko
Ishii. “With my parents being from Japan
I know it’s not just Americans that feel
this tragedy but people in Japan and all
over the world feel this sorrow as well.”
Leaving the tree watered and content to
grow in its new home the people did much
the same as Americans did one year ago.
They held there heads high, enjoyed one
another’s company and went back to work.
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