Peyton Demaio, of Weedsport, New York, was born five years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and other targets.
But she was eager to take part in the annual Sept. 11 flag ceremony at Elmira College on Friday, an event with even more meaning as it marked the 25th anniversary of the attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives.
Demaio, 20, is a junior at Elmira College, and even though she has no personal recollection of that day, she believes it's important to keep awareness of that event alive.
"I think it's important to remember it, and the tragedy people went through," Demaio said. "I don't want it to be easy to forget. I didn't know anybody affected by it personally. I feel (uplifted) when I look at all these people coming together."
Elmira College began the tradition of honoring the victims of Sept. 11 in 2015. Every year, participants — which include EC students and staff, first responders and other community members — place 2,996 along Park Place, one for each person who died in the attacks.
The college keeps a special flag posted in memory of Elmira College Class of 1997 member Daryl McKinney, one of the victims who died when the World Trade Center towers in Manhattan collapsed.
College President John F. Dolan opened Friday's ceremony with a request.
"We are miles away from any of the places of impact but we still felt it here in Elmira and around the world," Dolan said. "It's hard to talk about 3,000 names. I ask you to find that one name that could be your proper connection."
Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss, who was working the midnight shift as a member of the Chemung County Sheriff's Office in September 2001, said in addition to the victims and their families, we should also remember and honor the thousands of first responders who sacrificed so much to help in the aftermath of the attacks.
"We can never say enough for our first responders," Moss said, adding many suffered debilitating health issues for years after exposure to toxic dust and debris. "What we don't want to do as a country is to forget. Have a thought, have a prayer for those who lost their lives, and for those who sacrificed and are still sacrificing."
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Like Demaio, Elmira College senior Jaxon Troast, of Washingtonville, New York, wasn't around 25 years ago to experience the shock and anguish Americans went through.
But Troast believes the Elmira College flag ceremony and similar observances are an important way for people to connect to the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and to never forget.
"It's definitely a reminder that when we come together we can do amazing things," said Troast, 21. "I try to be a part of this as much as I can. I feel everybody should take the opportunity to participate in this kind of event, to remember what we are all about as a country."
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: It's important to remember Sept. 11, say young Elmira College students