POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — On Friday, Sept. 10, College of the Ozarks held a special ceremony to commemorate the lives of those who perished in the terrorist attacks that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001.

The ceremony was held at the Lest We Forget 9/11 Memorial located next to the College of the Ozarks Fire Department on the College of the Ozarks campus. The campus family and students from School of the Ozarks attended. Veterans, first responders, and family members of the fallen were also present.

Bryan Cizek, dean of work education and director of patriotic activities, gave special remarks. Cizek served as an Army Ranger in the U.S. Army and is an alumnus of College of the Ozarks.

“We must never forget what happened to us,” Cizek said. “We must never forget the lives lost that day and every day since for the last 20 years in the Global War on Terrorism. Lest we forget.”

Cizek stated, regarding the fallen: “We have inherited their unfinished business. We must live a life worthy of their sacrifice. That’s what I want to reinforce to you today: finding purpose, unity, and strength, out of tragedy, trauma, and adversity.”

The ceremony included music from the College of the Ozarks Concert Band, the raising of the 9/11 National Remembrance Flag by Director of Public Safety and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran David Kempf, and remarks from College President Jerry C. Davis.

In his closing remarks, Cizek reflected on his own military service and left the audience with a call to action: “You have no idea how blessed I was to serve this country and the purpose that it gave me. I think we’re all called to sacrifice and commit a great period of our lives to serve a cause greater than ourselves.”