VU Students Honor 9/11 First Responders with Memorial Walk

VINCENNES, Ind. (We Are Knox County) - Vincennes University students and professors gathered on Thursday to honor the 441 first responders who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Participants from the university’s five public safety programs - Conservation Law Enforcement, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Fire Response and Safety Technology, Homeland Security and Public Safety, and Legal Studies - walked a combined 441 laps around the track.

Each lap represented the sacrifice of one fallen first responder.

A total of 68 students took part in the memorial walk, with some choosing to wear firefighting gear as a symbol of respect.

Anthony Taylor, a student in the Conservation Law Enforcement program, said the walk was a meaningful way to pause and reflect.

“Those people gave up their lives,” Taylor said.

“If I can give up a couple of hours to reflect and remember what they had to give up, I think that’s just an honor and amazing feeling.”

The event was organized by Eric Doane, program chair for Conservation Law Enforcement.

Doane, who served nearly 30 years as an Indiana conservation officer, said it was moving to watch his students take part in such a tribute.

“It’s awesome to see this next generation, some who weren’t even alive when this happened, step up and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice as they follow in their footsteps as first responders,” Doane said.

This was the first year for the memorial walk, but both organizers and students said they hope it will become a lasting tradition at Vincennes University.