A field of American flags at Vincennes University is serving as a reminder today of the 2,977 lives lost in the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Students, faculty, staff and others gathered at the VU Track Thursday to place a flag for each person who died that day 25 years ago.
Brent Maguire, chair of VU’s Homeland Security and Public Safety program, said the anniversary is also a chance to help today’s students understand an event that happened before they were born.
Maguire said those students may not remember September 11th, but many of the policies, procedures and other parts of everyday life they know today were shaped by what happened that day.
“It’s been 25 years ago. We have a new generation that wasn’t around during that time, but the world that they live in has been shaped by that day,” Maguire said.
VU’s observance continues later today with a flag retreat ceremony and memorial bell ringing outside the Homeland Security Building.
Participants then plan to gather at the track for a memorial walk among the flags. Their goal is to walk a combined 441 laps in memory of the first responders who died on September 11th.
Maguire said the public is welcome to attend and take part in the tribute.
