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Vigil finds a moment of peace and one forgotten flag finds a new purpose By
Steven Barfuss
A faded American flag and pole collected dust, forgotten in the back of a garage until two days ago when the United States was attacked by terrorists. Josh Lucherini, a student at Utah State University, having never known his rights as an American to be threatened during his lifetime, searched to find the flag, and with it he found a sense of pride for the country he has grown up in. Lucherini marched with the flag high in the air to the Candlelight Vigil on the USU Quad Thursday evening where he and thousands of students and faculty met in memory of those injured in the attacks. "The flag has not touched the ground since I found it," Lucherini said. ASUSU President Steve Palmer spoke of how this generation has never seen an event like this. Older generations saw the Vietnam conflict, the Korean police action and world wars, but todayıs youth havenıt come close. "Your very presence here shows you will not be an idle victim of terrorism," Palmer said. Mayor Doug Thompson read a statement prepared by the Logan City Council. Thompson said freedom is not free and a price must be paid for it. "Pray for the leaders of America and of all nations," Thompson said. "That we do not misdirect our grief and sorrow towards our friends in the Middle East.² Thompson counseled that it would be unacceptable to punish them for the acts of a minority. "Please be tolerant, please be loving, please be kind," Thompson said. He then invited the students to attend the Logan community memorial service at the Eccles Theater Friday at 5:30 p.m. The human spirit is indomitable and we are reminded so when thousands stand in lines for hours to donate blood for the victims of this tragic act, USU Vice President Patricia Terrell said. "Let us not equate the actions of a few with the belief of a whole," Terrell said. For many there is a delayed reaction, collectively students are shocked and troubled. They do not know who or what has acted out this act, said Leon Dısouza. "This gruesome crime is not a crime against America, itıs a crime against humanity," Dısouza said. "Please remember that each individual injury or death is a tragedy and the ripple effects us all," Dr. Ross Peterson said. "Deep in your heart, deep in your soul ask how we treat each other, that we can control" Peterson said. Said USU President Kermit Hall: "We stand at a divided time in our history, and out of adversity we must all draw strength."
Education is the key to ending ignorance and poverty and promoting social tolerance, said Hall. Hall talked about the six degrees of separation in society, and how everyone is affected in an event such as this. "These people are our mothers, brothers, and friends," Hall said. Hall focused many of his remarks in respect to the multicultural students on campus. He read an e-mail from a colleague who said he hopes those of Middle Eastern dissent wonıt be "lumped" with the terrorist group, and people will keep an open mind. "Candles of comfort to provide pockets of understanding and permit places of peace,² Hall in closing said.
Students with candles honor the victims of the terrorist attacks.
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