The Fordham University’s United Student Government (USG) organized and hosted an event to plant flowers in remembrance of the lives lost in the 9/11 tragedy at the on-campus memorial across from Finlay Hall.

USG Executive President Lucas Hjertberg, FCRH ’26, alongside Senator Ava Cascella, FCRH ’26, led the event which was hosted on Wednesday, Sept. 10.

The ceremony began with a presentation from the Fordham Reserve Officers’ Training Corps’ (ROTC) cadet color guard and a hearing of the national anthem. Cascella and Hjertberg each then gave a speech to thank attendees for coming and to recognize the tragedy.

“We stand here today in remembrance, solidarity and respect for the victims who lost their lives in this senseless tragedy,” Cascella said. “As the next generation of storytellers, we are tasked with never forgetting this tragedy and ensuring that the legacy of these victims is honored for generations to come. By being here, you join in the promise of remembering and honoring those lost and those who risked their lives trying to save others.”

Cascella worked with USG as well as the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum, where Cascella is currently interning, to put together this event.
“My manager at the museum, Caitlin Best, helped me plan the event in terms of major logistics,” Cascella said. “I knew I wanted ROTC to be a part of the event to uphold the military connection and display a commitment to service. I also thought it would be beneficial to include USG to embed student leadership into a student-led event.”

Cascella also pushed for students to visit the actual museum in Manhattan. “I encourage everyone to visit the museum. The tour guides are excellent, and they give you a complete breakdown of everything that happened,” she said.

The technical name of the flowers planted is Garden Chrysanthemum Plant Orange Shades, and despite not being strictly annual, they will most likely bloom again next year, depending on the weather.

There were also several students in attendance as well. Jenny Hong, FCRH ’28, and Quinn van der Hoeven, GSB ’28, are both a part of HEART 9/11, an organization that was established by first responders such as the New York City Police Department and the New York City Fire Department.

The nonprofit was made to remember the tragedy through rescue work to prevent another from happening. Hong and van der Hoeven expressed gratitude for USG and also the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum for putting such an event together specifically on Fordham, citing attempts to do so themselves.

When asked about the importance of remembering the event, both shared similar sentiments. “It’s a tragedy, but it’s also something that we should remember … we haven’t experienced 9/11, but it’s something that we need to just kind of keep remembering because so many lives were lost,” van der Hoeven said.

Another student who was in attendance was Julia del Pino, FCRH ’26. In response to the same question, del Pino shared that, “I just wanted to come out and support [the event] because even though I don’t know anyone personally who was impacted … I just wanted to be here.”

Cascella also noted the importance of continuing to remember this tragedy, no matter how many years pass. “How do we keep these stories alive and how do we continue to tell these stories to the next generation?” she asked. “A big part of that is through education and through people like us coming here today and learning and remembering this day,” Cascella added.

She is still working towards remembering the tragedy, not just on Sept. 11, but every day. “As a government and community affairs intern, I work to strengthen the relationship between various museum stakeholders and the museum itself,” Cascella said, commenting on her work. “Currently, I am working to receive cosponsorships from members of Congress to pass a commemorative coin bill. This bill [would authorize] the U.S. Department of the Treasury to mint commemorative coins for the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.”