October 20, 2010, 11:58am
Syracuse, N.Y. - Thirty-five Syracuse University students were among the nearly 300 killed on Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerberie, Scotland over two decades ago on December 21st, 1988.
This week, called Remembrance Week, Syracuse University celebrates the liv
es of the victims and reminds people what is truly important in their lives. Communication Director of Campus News Service, Donna Hunter, finds this week important for many reasons. "Many of the students on campus were not around when the tragedy occurred and do not realize the significance of the incident," Hunter said. "I think that's an important thing that Remembrance Week does for us. Let's us reflect on what is important to us as a community."Since the Pan Am bombing Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, a Libyan terrorist, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. In August 2009 however, Scotland released al-Megrahi on 'compassionate' grounds after doctors said he had no more than three months to live. The Libyan spent over 20 years in prison and returned to Libya. Today he remains alive.
Hunter has heard her fair share of varying opinions about al-Megrahi's release she acknowledges, but has a unique view herself. "I'm still of the opinion that the decision of compassion is the right thing even though it may have been based on a fraudulent testimony."
Late last night a candlelight vigil was held on the Quad and remembrance scholars spent the night camping on the Quad in commemoration of the fallen. Additional events to come include a remembrance concert and rose laying ceremony for the victims. The lives and spirits of the fallen live on through prestigious scholarships of 35 university students and no tragedy appears to slow anyone involved down.
No comments:
Post a Comment