Remembering September 11, 2001

Today marks the twenty years since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The Offices of the Grand Chapter encourage you to use this time to visit 911Memorial.org/20th-Anniversary to learn more about how you can remember those we lost.

"Despite our shared grief in the aftermath of 9/11, hope, resilience, and unity lifted us up as a nation."

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum stands as a beacon of healing and renewal – a physical embodiment of the compassion we showed to one another, the resolve we demonstrated to the world, and how, in the face of unfathomable loss, we rose as one. During this 20th anniversary year, they will share the history and lessons learned with a new generation, teach them about the ongoing repercussions of the 9/11 attacks, and inspire the world with memories of our fortitude, strength, and resilience.

In addition, on September 11, Frater Joshua Nixon from the Beta-Eta chapter at Missouri University of Science and Technology will be climbing the 110 flights of stairs of the Twin Towers. He will do so dressed in his Seabrook Nuclear Station fire brigade gear starting at exactly 8:46 AM EST, the time that the first tower was hit. He will be live-streaming the climb to raise money and awareness for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

"I'll never forget the values that TKE instilled in me. Whether it's giving back to your community, helping a brother in need, or serving a greater purpose beyond yourself, Tau Kappa Epsilon showed me the meaning in Building Better Men for a Better World. This charity event is just another example of the inspiration that TKE built in me to appreciate those around us and work towards making a difference in this world." - Frater Joshua Nixon

We have no doubt that Frater Nixon will be one of many Tekes remembering September in various ways or fundraising as he is. Throughout the day we encourage you to visit his page, tune into his live stream and share what you see from him and any others you know of.

Joshua's fundraiser for Tunnel to Towers Foundation on Facebook

Live Stream of the Event

As we remember this devastating date in America's history, we pause to cherish the lives we have and those men and women who protect us each day.

Thousands of men in Tau Kappa Epsilon have served in the military, police and fire services for the United States or Canada. Their selflessness and sacrifice have made our fraternal experience possible. The Offices of the Grand Chapter would like to thank all Fraters who have served in such a way. We remember September 11 as a day that the United States grew stronger. We remember September 11 so that we all might learn to live our lives at the highest level possible in the future.

Thousands of lives were lost in the attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C. and the crash in Pennsylvania. Among the victims were five members of Tau Kappa Epsilon: Fraters John C. Willett (Kappa-Nu, Rockhurst), Sgt. Major Larry L. Strickland (Chi, Washington), Douglas A. Gowell (Mu-Epsilon, Lowell), Steven D. Jacoby (Zeta-Tau, Shippensburg) and Michael J. Mullin (Sigma-Epsilon, SUNYOneonta).

In the fall of 2001, Tau Kappa Epsilon's THE TEKE wrote a powerful piece titled "Answering the Call" in memory of those Fraters who lost their lives.

John C. Willett was on the phone in his 101st-floor World Trade Center office when the first American Airlines jetliner crashed into his tower Tuesday morning. Sgt. Major Larry Strickland was in the Pentagon after giving up a day off to attend a meeting. Douglas A. Gowell was an unsuspecting passenger when his United Airlines flight was hijacked in midair.

Click here to read letters in memory of John C. Willett, Sgt. Major Larry Strickland and Douglas A Gowell. 

Remember these Tekes, their families and the thousands of victims of this tragedy. Remind yourself of the heroes and of the love and charity shown in our communities. Remind yourself that even though humanity may face tragedy, we are all in this together. We are all building a better world.

As our Fraternity strives to be Better Men for a Better World we will always remember our past, and we will never forget September 11, 2001. We will not forget those we lost, and we will not forget those who stood for the best in us all.

Photo by Jesse Mills on Unsplash