Remembrance Week Cancelled and Events Move Online

By Louise Rath, SYRACUSE, NY –The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Syracuse University’s Remembrance week to postpone their Rose Laying Ceremony and Remembrance Convocation to the Spring, with some events transitioning to a virtual format for the fall.

Students can expect Remembrance displays, virtual education sessions, online speakers and panels at the end of October, according to Pan-Am 103 archivist and Remembrance program director Vanessa St. Oegger-Menn.

“There’s also a greater opportunity to involve our alumni who were here on campus at the time of the tragedy, former Remembrance or Lockerbie scholars, as well as the Pan-Am 103 families,” said St. Oegger-Menn, on the benefit of virtual events.

Remembrance scholar Miranda Nemeth admitted that the adaptation of these events is “a bit disheartening,” but expressed excitement that there is “a lot more room to include people that haven’t been included in the past.”

Amidst so many changes this year, bringing the Lockerbie scholars to Syracuse was a silver lining for the Remembrance program. Maryann Mcvey and Aidan Kevans were chosen as this year’s scholars, and they couldn’t be happier to be here.

“We weren’t sure if we were able to come or not… so I’m more than honored to be here this year” Kevans said.

CitrusTV News will continue Remembrance week coverage throughout the year.