Campus, nation observe seventh anniversary 

The Appalachian ROTC presents the colors during the pregame show before kickoff on Saturday. The ROTC will join Appalachian’s College Republicans and honor the victims of Sept. 11 with 3,000 flags on Sanford Mall. Photo by Alisha Park

by JUSTIN HERBERGER
Intern News Reporter

Appalachian State University will commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with 3,000 flags flying on Sanford Mall Thursday.

Appalachian’s College Republicans and Army ROTC are cosponsoring the event, which is open to students, staff, faculty, and the public.

The two organizations teamed up to honor Patriot Day.

Shortly after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Congress voted to designate the day “Patriot Day,” according to gpoaccess.gov. 

The House of Representatives considered and passed the bill on Oct. 25, 2001 and on Nov. 30, 2001 the Senate passed the bill as well, according to the Web site. 

President George W. Bush signed the bill into law on Dec. 18, 2001.

According to the legislation, it not only designates the name of the day, but also requests the president to call upon: state governments to observe Patriot Day with appropriate programs and activities; agencies,departments and instrumentalities of the United States to display the American flag at half-staff; and the American people to observe amoment of silence to honor those who lost their lives on that day. 

According to whitehouse.gov, every year since 2001, President Bush has ordered amoment of silence to begin at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on theanniversary of the attacks.

The College Republicans purchased the 3,000 American flags for this event and the Army ROTC will assist in placing the flags.

Each of the flags represents one life lost in the attack.

Along with the feelings of shock and grief that many people felt that day,many also relate feelings of togetherness and community.

Karla C.Foster, senior criminal justice major and president of College Republicans said the commemoration of Sept. 11 is not a partisan issue.

“This is an American issue,” she said.

Foster said her father was an employee in the World Trade Center, but not a victim of the attacks on Sept. 11.

Foster’s sentiments are felt by many of her peers. 

“[Sept.11] knocked down the different barriers between groups in America, andmade us unify towards a common goal,” Leanne M. Caudill, a freshmancriminal justice major and member of ROTC said.

The commemorative event was originally planned for last year’s anniversary,but was not put into action in time to be carried out.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comments