Sunday’s fourth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 passed without any public events dedicated to remembering the day. Although city and university officials say related events are being postponed for later on in the week, some students were left wondering why nothing was done on campus to mark the day.

Michael Rolewski, freshman in engineering, said he was puzzled by the lack of events.

“I was thinking about enlisting before I came to college because of the events of Sept. 11,” Rolewski said.

He said he felt the attack was a serious event which is shaping the United States’ involvement in the world and deserved attention.

“I wouldn’t mind seeing something which simply said that we’re acknowledging that the attacks happened and we’re remembering it,” he said.

Susan Gwiasda, public relations officer for the City of Ames, said as people move further away from major historical events, they choose to remember them in their own way.

Gwiasda said she believes this is the reason agencies around the city chose to keep their memorials private.

“A lot of departments are doing things privately and not organizing large public events,” Gwiasda said.

She said Ames firefighters remembered the event with a ceremony which began at the time the first tower collapsed. It is restricted to officers.

“Each department has selected its own way to memorialize the event,” she said. “And [this year] they’ve opted to do them in a smaller setting.”

In September 2002, the City of Ames commemorated the first anniversary of the attacks with speeches and a concert in Bandshell Park. Iowa State’s “Celebrating the Human Spirit Day” was held that day and featured speeches, a carillon concert and a candlelight vigil.

This year’s university calendar listed two events which were held Sunday, neither were related to Sept. 11.

Anne Krapfl, communications specialist for Iowa State, said she did not know of any events going on around campus.

She said “The Constitution in a Time of Terror” lecture Tuesday is related to the subject of the world after Sept. 11.

Maj. Harold Meyer Jr., adjunct assistant professor of military science and tactics, said the terrorist attacks changed the mentality of the ROTC programs to a wartime footing.

“We’ve talked to the cadets through the year about what’s going on and what’s yet to come,” Meyer said.

He said more than 25 percent of military science students had already served a one-year tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan because of America’s War on Terrorism.

Meyer is also the commander of the Ames American Legion. He said the Legions did not officially commemorate the day, but plan to remember the Sept. 11 attacks and the ongoing conflict on Veterans’ Day this year.