Tears filled the eyes of thousands gathered in the Diag Wednesday to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Sponsored by the Michigan Student Assembly and organized by numerous student organizations, thousands of students, faculty and Ann Arbor community members sat in packed rows on the ground.

" I expected to see a large crowd. ... This is the point of the day where the (Sept. 11) anniversary really hits home," said MSA President Sarah Boot.

"I hope the vigil succeeds in giving the U-M campus a certain sense of community."

Boot opened the program by thanking the U-M campus for the outpouring of support for the various events of the day, including taking 2,041 random acts of kindness index cards from a large board on the Diag. Red, white, and blue index cards covered the names of 2,041 victims of the terrorist attacks. The back of each card had a random act of kindness written on it.

LSA Student Government President, Monique Luse brought numerous rounds of applause in her speech which focused on the need for less hate and more healing.

" My concern is not divided lunch tables but divided hearts," Luse said. She emphasized that hate crimes perpetuate more hate.

"The only way to stop hate is to embrace love. It is a choice to hate and a choice to love. ... I want hate out of our walls," Luse said.

Many people from the Ann Arbor area came out to show support for the U-M campus and to join in on the commemoration events of the day. "It's been a long year and to get it all out and remember. It creates a great sense of community," said Huron High senior, Laura Clark, who attended the vigil with her family.

Some people said they still have questions about the reasons behind the terrorist attacks and the government's involvement -the same questions they asked one year ago.

U-M alum Virginia Cropsey said, "I am here to raise questions on behalf of all who died. (The government's) known about the terrorist attacks long before (Sept. 11) and cases in where planes were used. A year later ... there's still a lot more to know."

Others in the University community were dissatisfied with the lack of reverence for the attacks.

"While I'm sure many hearts have been touched, I believe we have let the significance of (Sept. 11) bypass us much too quickly," LSA freshman Ursula Towns, said.

The names of the 18 alumni killed in the attacks were read, as were the names of victims whose names were offered by friends and family.

There were numerous speakers from University President Mary Sue Coleman to English Professor Ralph Williams to Ann Arbor Police Chief Daniel Oates.

Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje led the candle-lighting ceremony at the end of the vigil and offered special thanks to the University community.

"Thank you for opening your hearts to our city and all of its' residents," he said. Thousands of candles were lit and all on the Diag turned to face the flagpole as the American flag was raised and then slowly lowered in remembrance of the victims.

"I'm so happy. Just looking around at the students makes me proud to be a part of this campus," MSA Vice-President Dana Glassel, said.

LSA sophomore Pete Woiwode, one of the vigil's organizers, said, " It's amazing how passionate and caring people have been about this event. The results were exactly what we expected,"

A few final moments of silence left the crowd time to reflect.

"Sept. 11, 2001, we shall never forget," said Brian Hulsebus, president of the Rackham Student Government.