Story by Wendy S. Loughlin
wsloughl@summon.syr.edu
Phone: 443-3784
October 12, 1998

Ten years later: remembering Pan Am 103

Dec. 21. The date looms large in the Syracuse University community-and all over the world. On that day in 1988, a terrorist bomb caused the explosion of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, resulting in the loss of 270 lives. Thirty-five SU students were on the flight, traveling back to the United States after a semester abroad. Tragically, none made it home alive. But when the first group of Remembrance Scholars at SU was named in April 1990, the victims' legacies were secured. Every year since, 35 SU students have been chosen as Remembrance Scholars, an award that bears with it a responsibility to remember and honor the lost students.

 Remembrance Scholars work to learn about the victims and retell their stories to a new generation of SU students.

 Like their predecessors, the 1998-99 Remembrance Scholars have become deeply involved in the history and facts of the Lockerbie air disaster. This year's group faces the additional responsibility of observing the disaster's 10th anniversary. Working together since they were chosen nine months ago, the students have organized several days of Remembrance Week activities that will help sustain the memory of those 35 victims from SU.

 Remembrance Week commences Oct. 15, when Remembrance Scholars will distribute blue ribbons and informational flyers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the atrium of the Schine Student Center. "We think this is an excellent way to begin the week," says Remembrance Scholar Mikio Fujitsuka. "In this way, we can bring the story of Pan Am 103 to the forefront, and set the tone for the planned activities." The Remembrance Scholars will continue to distribute blue ribbons throughout the following week.

 On Oct. 16 and 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, the Remembrance Scholars will host a quilt making in the Noble Room at Hendricks Chapel. All students, faculty and staff are invited to help make the quilt, and several local quilting guild members will be invited to assist. No experience or time commitment are necessary.

 The "Remembrance Quilt" will feature a sequence for each of the 35 victims, including representations of some of their personal belongings. "We contacted the parents of the victims, and they were quite cooperative and supportive," says Fujitsuka. "It was a very emotional experience, of course, but they were all willing to help."

 On Oct. 18, Remembrance Scholars will tie ribbons bearing the names of each victim to trees around campus.

 On Oct. 19, each scholar will wear a memorial button bearing the likeness of one of the victims. Scholars will continue to wear these buttons throughout the week. "We want to call attention to each of the individuals lost in the disaster," says Fujitsuka. "We want others to ask us about the buttons, and that will serve as a segue for discussion."

 From Oct. 19 to Oct. 23, photographs of the 35 victims will be on display in the atrium of the Schine Student Center.

 On Oct. 20, the Remembrance Scholars will host a rally focusing on terrorism, politics and international law, and their effects on the cause and prevention of human suffering. "Remembrance in Peace: Presentations and Dialogue" will feature many guest speakers, including George Williams, president of Victims of Pan Am 103 Inc.; Cory Loudenslager, a student in SU's College of Law whose sister died aboard TWA 800; College of Law professor Peter Bell; and Roy Simmons Jr., former head coach of the SU lacrosse team. The rally will take place at 10:30 a.m. in Room 227 of the Schine Student Center.

 At noon on Oct. 22, Remembrance Scholars will hold a memorial service at the Place of Remembrance in front of the Hall of Languages. Students will read the victims' names and lay a rose on the monument in their honor. The service will be followed by a moment of silence, during which the Crouse College chimes will ring 35 times. All members of the University community are asked to observe the moment of silence when the chimes begin to toll.

 Remembrance Week activities will conclude Oct. 23 with the Convocation for Remembrance Scholars at 4:30 p.m. in the main chapel of Hendricks Chapel. David M. Rubin, dean of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and chair of the Remembrance Scholar Selection Committee, will preside.

 Speakers will include Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw; Sharon Hollenback, professor and chair of the communications department; Judith L. O'Rourke, senior administrator in the Office of the Vice President of Undergraduate Studies; and one of the 1998-99 Remembrance Scholars.

 Hendricks Chapel Dean Richard L. Phillips will deliver the invocation; Thomas V. Wolfe, interdenominational Protestant chaplain and dean-designate of Hendricks Chapel, will give the benediction.

 The University community will observe the 10th anniversary of the Lockerbie air disaster with "Days of Remembrance" in December.

 On Dec. 11, the Rev. Alan Neal, who was pastor of Lockerbie's Anglican church at the time of the Pan Am bombing, will present "That Night in Lockerbie: December 21, 1988." Neal will also be the guest preacher at Hendricks Chapel Dec. 13.

 From Dec. 12 to Dec. 21, two exhibits will commemorate the event. "Images of Lockerbie," a photo exhibit featuring the works of Newhouse students who visited Lockerbie, will be on display in the lobby of Newhouse I. "The University Remembers" will feature materials from the Pan Am 103 Archives in the SU Archives, and will be on display in the atrium of the Schine Student Center.

 Hillel will sponsor "Chanukah: A Time to Remember and Celebrate Life" Dec. 13. Participants will gather on the patio of Huntington Beard Crouse Hall for the lighting of the campus menorah, followed by a reception in the Founders Room of Maxwell Hall.

 On Dec. 14, the College of Nursing will present "Finding Meaning in the Tragedy of Pan Am 103." A panel of Remembrance Scholar applicants from the College of Nursing will present their perspectives to students, faculty and staff. A procession to the Place of Remembrance will follow.

 On Dec. 15, Suse and Peter Lowenstein, parents of Pan Am 103 victim Alexander Lowenstein, will present a slide show and discussion of Dark Elegy, Suse Lowenstein's sculpture commemorating the disaster.

 A rescreening of the Jan. 18, 1989 Syracuse University Memorial Service will be shown in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel Dec. 16.

 On Dec. 17, the Office of Student Affairs will present "Meeting the Need After Pan Am 103: Student Affairs Reflections." The panel discussion will include Pat Burak, director of the Office of International Services; Mary Jo Custer, director of the Office for Student Assistance; and Stan Fornal of SU Health Services. Barry L. Wells, vice president for student affairs and dean of student relations, will moderate.

 Alumni from the College of Visual and Performing Arts' Drama Department will present a dramatic performance Dec. 19 honoring their lost classmates. On Dec. 21, a Service of Commemoration at Hendricks Chapel will be celebrated simultaneously with services in Lockerbie, Scotland; Arlington National Cemetery; and Westminster Abbey in London, England.