READING, Pa. — For students at Alvernia University, Friday started in prayer and reflection outside Judge Hall in Reading.
The hall is named for Father Mychal Judge, a Franciscan friar and Catholic priest who served as chaplain of the New York Fire Department and is considered the first fatality in the attacks.
“This morning we had a 9-11 interfaith memorial, and there were so many students there who weren’t alive during 9-11 but were there in prayer and in contemplation with us,” said Laura Nentwig with Alvernia University.
A few hours later, remembering turned into action when about a dozen students headed to the Reading Area Firefighters Museum.
“Here at the Liberty Fire Company, I helped clean the displays and dust off a little bit of the dust that was on the displays and showcases,” said Alvernia student Katia Botelho.
But the students were also there to learn more about the history behind what they were helping preserve.
“I’m 22. I was not born when 9-11 happened. But, you know, you learn about it in school enough to know the significance and, you know, the tragedy that did happen on 9/11,” said Alvernia student William Dennis.
For Dennis, what he learned in school suddenly had something tangible behind it.
“So, having this place, knowing the history that firefighters went through, especially, you know, that day and before, it’s impactful,” Dennis said.
And that’s exactly what organizers were looking for.
“We thought it was good to come here and really show the history of the lives that were lost that day and also teach our students because many of them weren’t born when this happened 25 years ago,” said Denise Leininger with Alvernia University.