Sept. 14, 2020
Contact: Sara Diedrich, 573-882-3243, DiedrichS@missouri.edu
Flags hang between the columns and from a fire truck to commemorate Patriot Day.
Maddison Breid
Maddison Breid was just a child on Sept. 11, 2001, but the tragic events of that fateful day would later inspire her to choose a career to serve her community as a first responder and to enroll at the University of Missouri as a nursing student.
“I feel so honored to be affiliated with the first responders who sacrificed their lives on 9/11 for a better 9/12,” Breid said. “It’s important for me to do this work to honor those who lost their lives.”
The MU junior from Madison, Missouri, where she serves as a volunteer firefighter, was among many MU students, staff and faculty Friday who spent the day remembering those who lost their lives on 9/11, which is now recognized as Patriot Day.
Breid works for the Madison-West Monroe Fire Protection District where she participates in fire and medical calls, along with volunteering for community events. She said remembering 9/11 drove home how important it is for her to serve her community as a volunteer firefighter, and one day, as a nurse.
“I want to be able to help people on their worst day, just like first responders helped those on 9/11,” Breid said. “I feel the responsibility to help those in need because I know I have the ability to help.”
MU commemorated Patriot Day with a gathering on the Francis Quadrangle where local first responders, veterans and the MU ROTC were joined by UM System President and MU Chancellor Mun Choi for a socially-distanced moment of remembrance.
As American flags hung from the columns, Choi laid a wreath near the MU Columns. At 9:30 a.m., the bell in Switzler Hall rang 19 times in recognition of the 19th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.
Although many MU students, like Breid, were children on 9/11, the events of that day left a lasting impact on their lives.
“I might have been a little kid on 9/11, but hearing stories and reading books have given me insight into the ultimate sacrifice those 412 emergency workers made that day,” Breid said. “On that day, while others ran away from the danger, emergency workers ran towards it.”
