This country will never forget the September 11 tragedy. Over a month has passed and the effects of this event are still very evident on our daily lives. This event has caused people to change their everyday patterns and reevaluate their focus. All over we can see people coming together and, sadly, people being drawn apart by this experience.
The Rensselaer greek community stands small in numbers, but even with our small numbers we can come together, and together we can make a difference. Proudly we have come together and have made a difference. Over the past weeks chapters have united in various ways. We are no longer working as individual chapters but we have worked as a greek community and as Americans to show our continued support. It is because of this unity we were successful. Many of you saw Operation Patriotism in action last week. This was a great example of our chapter members working together and making a difference. Events such as American Rally at Sage Dining Hall, Patriotic Bowling at Uncle Sam’s Bowling Lanes, and the Panhel Lip Sync were held during the week.
It is easy to realize the diversity that exists in the greek community. Members of the greek community are very diverse in our beliefs, religious practices, nationality, etc. Each and every one of us needs to take it upon ourselves to respect these differences of chapter members, members of the Greek communities, and society as a whole. Beyond respecting these differences I hope we choose to celebrate them and allow them to enrich our lives. I urge you to learn as much as you can about what makes each chapter member unique. Let diversity bring us together in celebration.
Let us join together as Americans and continue to make a difference. John Dickinson wrote in "The Liberty Song" in 1768, "Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall."
