Like most everybody else at Haskell Indian Nations University, Benny Smith has seen the post-Sept. 11 bumper stickers that read, “We won’t forget.”

It’s a sentiment he shares, but it comes with an irony he fears most Americans have missed.

Lawrence firefighters lead a procession of city law enforcement personnel, members of Kansas University ROTC units, and veterans groups onto Haskell Field at Haskell Indian Nations University. The ceremony Wednesday evening was in commemoration of those who died on Sept. 11 last year.

Indians, he says, know terrorism well.

“Terrorism,” he said, “is very much a part of many of our tribal histories, and ‘not forgetting’ is very much a part of our tribal cultures.”

Indians, he said, have long known the anguish most Americans are struggling with.

“It is hard to be in this situation without animosity,” he said.

Smith, a former dean and director of counseling at Haskell, participated in a commemorative ceremony Wednesday morning on campus. About 70 students and staff attended the hourlong ceremony.

A full-blooded Cherokee, Smith asked the group to pray for peace, forgiveness and wisdom.

During the ceremony, participants were gathered around a fire, symbolizing the spiritual connection between the “Father up above and Mother Earth,” Smith said.

Plans call for keeping the fire burning for four days and nights.

A photo of the World Trade Center towers, taken on Sept. 10, 2001, by a Delta Airlines pilot who lives in Lawrence, was given to the Downtown Barbershop, 824 Mass. Jay Amyx, manager at the barbershop, reflected in the photograph Wednesday, says he can't recall the pilot's name but remembers his story of how he flew out of New York the day after the photograph was taken. The pilot was bound for Miami when the World Trade Center towers were struck.

Students, faculty and staff had a distinctly American Indian memorial service as they gathered around the fire pit on the Haskell Indian Nations University campus. The burning of sage and cedar began at 7:46 a.m. Wednesday, the local time when the first hijacked jet hit the World Trade Center a year ago. The fire at Haskell will burn for four days and nights.

Kerry Bryant, Lawrence, a social work student in the master's program at Haskell Indian Nations University and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux, was one of the dozens of people who attended the ceremony.

Children at Centennial School recite the Pledge of Allegiance while gathered outside around the flag. In the front row at right is Carolyn Weiler and next to her is Jose Garcia, both in the early childhood program. Standing at far right is sixth-grader Jane Goulding; second from right is third-grader Alissa Kongkindavong; and third from right is sixth-grader Cassiti Conklin.