The Committee for a Better University planted 3,000 American flags to represent those that were affected by the attacks yesterday afternoon and hosted a candlelight vigil in the Brickyard at 9:11 p.m. last night, as part of a national event that the Young Americans Foundation sponsored to honor the victims of the 9/11 tragedy.
According to Chair of the CBU Brittany Farrell, the committee will have a table set up today in the Brickyard where they plan to hand out yellow ribbons and provide students with the opportunity to write thank-you notes that they will then mail to deployed American troops.
Farrell, a senior in economics and political science, said this is the third year the University has participated in this event, and it is something that brings people together across the nation.
“This is something that is very powerful, especially when so many campuses across the country participate,” Farrell said. “Once again, we are united as Americans for a common cause.”
Farrell said it is important that there are reminders of the events of 9/11, because over time, its impact can fade from peoples’ minds.
“Your memory of the emotions that you felt that day wears down over time,” Farrell said. “If you see a flag, it can remind you of where you were and what you were feeling back on that day.”
Alec Grainger, a junior in business management, expressed similar sentiments and said events like these are vital so that people never forget the tragic events that took place.
“There is a trend in modern society that something happens — then it is old news,” Grainger said. “This is something that needs to be remembered, and this event helps it stay in our minds.”
Grainger said he is a citizen of Canada and the Barbados, and his family in different parts of the world was also greatly impacted by the events that took place on 9/11.
“It hit home with a lot of my family members all around the world,” he said. “It seemed kind of surreal to people that something like this could take place in the world today.”
David Nusselder, a student in lifelong education, said he is happy he could dedicate his time for the event, and in past years, has heard many positive responses from students who have seen the flags.
“The only thing I regret is that we don’t have more flags,” Nusselder said. “I wish we could fill up this whole field with flags.”
Mason Pedzwater, a sophomore in materials science and engineering, said the flags have a striking impact, and it helps people to appreciate and have a better understanding of the lives lost on that day.
“I’ve seen flags like this in memorials on TV, but this is the first time I’ve seen them in person,” Pedzwater said. “Three thousand doesn’t seem like that huge a number, but when you see markers such as these, it has a much greater meaning.”
Pedzwater said the 9/11 tragedy should never be forgotten, and those who were affected deserve to be honored.
“I had a strong urge to come out here because it is important to remember those whose lives were lost on September 11th,” Pedzwater said. “This was the single greatest tragedy I can remember from our generation.”
