"An Elon Phoenix lies beneath the ashes of the World Trade Center" By: John Sweeney, parent of an Elon student Sept. 18, 2001

My daughter, Jennifer Sweeney, is a junior at Elon. My wife and I drove down to the JMU game a couple weeks ago. We had in our car the window flag with the Elon Phoenix. Intending to go to the game on the 15th, I left the flag in the back of my car. On the morning of September 11th, I drove to my office (I am the General Manager for the Millennium Hilton next to the World Trade Center).

After evacuating our guests and staff, the first tower fell, damaging our hotel and blocking our most accessible exits. Together in darkness we (three staff members, two firefighters and two police officers) worked our way to sub level floors and exited through passageways to the building behind us (we connect on the lower floors). Then the second tower fell. Eventually we exited and evacuated to safety.

The hotel is at "ground zero" as it has come to be known, and though was repeatedly reported (in error) as having collapsed or about to do so. Fortunately it still stands, and will be repaired and restored in the months ahead. As for my car and the Phoenix (flag therein), I have not been able to find them. It was just outside my hotel when my staff evacuated, and was seen by rescue personnel on September 12th. I am hoping that both will arise from the ashes before the game this weekend.