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The Citizen

Kennedy School Students Run for 10th Anniversary of 9/11

Harvard Students Running Beside Charles RiverBy Ryoji Watanabe, MC/MPA ‘12

 

Ten years have passed since that fateful morning when terrorist attacks on the U.S. claimed thousands of innocent lives in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and four passenger airliners.  At 6:45 AM on September 11, 2012, more than 150 students from Harvard Kennedy School as well as from across Harvard University gathered in Cambridge Common, a park located near Harvard University.

 

Students were there to participate in a 9/11 memorial run entitled “United We Stand 9/11 ‘Moving Tribute’, Boston.”  Harvard Kennedy School’s Armed Forces Committee organized the event in conjunction with Team Red, White & Blue, which is a non-profit organization with a mission to enrich the lives of wounded veterans and their families.

 

At 7:00 AM, the runners, all wearing red shirts, were ready for a five-mile run heading to Boston Common.  There were also student-led volunteers who assisted in organizing the event. 9-11 Moving Tribute (Freedom Trail)

 

Steven Flanagan, a Mid-Career MPA student at Harvard Kennedy School who led the event asked for a moment of silence and made his remarks before the run.  Mr. Flanagan said, “This event will serve as a symbol of solidarity and support for the victims and heroes of 9/11 and for all of our patriots and allied friends who’ve died fighting ever since. We will unite, run, remember and serve as a tribute.”

 

For all the members that came that morning, there was enthusiasm in the air.  At the front of the pack was a runner with an American flag who lead the group through Harvard Square, Harvard Kennedy School, and the path beside the Charles River.  Drivers were honking their horns and people on the sidewalks cheered on the runners, boosting their energy to continue.  9-11 Moving Tribute (Finish) 2

 

After arriving at Boston Common, all the runners together with student volunteers attended the 9/11 Tenth Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony at the Massachusetts State House presided by Governor Deval Patrick.

 

One of the runners, Shay Giat, a Mid-Career MPA student from Israel, commented, “What an inspiring way to spend a Sunday morning!  I appreciate my classmates for putting together such an important event.”