A statement on behalf of the Chaplains Council of Syracuse University on the 13th anniversary of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, delivered at the Place of Remembrance on the afternoon of Dec. 21, 2001.

A statement on behalf of the Chaplains Council of Syracuse University on the 13th anniversary of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, delivered at the Place of Remembrance on the afternoon of Dec. 21, 2001.December 21, 2001

On this, the thirteenth anniversary of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, we pause to remember the 35 Syracuse University students and all of the passengers who were killed in the skies over Lockerbie, Scotland, by a terrorist act. This light is placed in their memory.

We also want to acknowledge that this is the first anniversary we have marked for Pan Am Flight 103 since the terrorist attacks of September 11th. This anniversary reminds us that we, as a community, have already endured the loss of life due to acts of terrorism and since that day have journeyed together on the road toward healing. In that spirit, we extend our hearts and thoughts to the memory of these most recent victims and their surviving families. We acknowledge your grief and hope with you for that day when you have restored to you a measure of inner peace.

This anniversary day calls us to remember all victims of terrorism everywhere. Today we proclaim that terrorism does not hold the final power. Instead, we invite all to claim that it is humanity’s capacity to love that will ultimately direct and shape the course of our history.