Sunday, Sept. 11 marks the 10th anniversary of the 2001 attacks on America. Those on the Brigham Young University campus Sundaywill be first witness to a 24-hour flag vigil by BYU’s own Army and Air Force ROTC detachments.
Cadets from the ROTC detachments will stand guard outside the ASB flag pole around the clock starting at 7:30 a.m. Sunday until 7:30 a.m. Monday.
Lisa Jastal
“I think it is important to remember back when 9/11 happened that there was movement of national unity,” said Captain Richard Hart, recruiting flight commander of Detachment 855. “But 10 years later it seems that unity of the nation has been forgotten, this flag vigil is an important reminder to people what we are fighting for.”
The BYU Air Force and Army ROTC hopes the vigil will serve as a part of the 10-year anniversary by reminding Americans of what has been sacrificed to prevent more attacks on U.S. soil.
Cadet Captain Daniel Cole of Detachment 855 serves as the Public Affairs Officer for his detachment.
“The events on 9/11 have shaped our country to what it is today,” Cole said. “As students, we need to remember that freedom isn’t free. There are people that still want to do us harm. This tribute is to honor those who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks as well as those members of the military that have paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.”
Student cadets will stand guard in 20-minute intervals during the vigil. At 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:37 a.m. and 10:03 a.m. the cadets will place a single rose at the base of the flag in honor of each plane hijacked according to the exact times in which the planes crashed.
“In the past, the BYU Air Force and Army ROTC have gotten together to carry out this event. In keeping with tradition, we’re holding the vigil again,” said Cadet Captain Lewis Swanson of BYU-AFROTC. “More importantly is the fact that 9/11 is now an important part of our nation’s history, and is likely the reason many cadets who are in ROTC joined. We hold the vigil as a solemn reminder to ourselves and to our peers and teachers at this university of the events that took place 10 years ago.”
Swanson said students are encouraged to participate in the event.
“Students are welcome and encouraged to come pay their respects to the victims of 9/11 anytime during the vigil, whether they lay a flower at the foot of the flag, offer a prayer or simply take the time to observe the flag in solemn silence while remembering the sacrifices of those who paid the ultimate price that day,” he said.
Similar events will be taking place across the nation. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square will present a special memorial performance of Music & the Spoken Word on Sunday. Celebrated news anchor Tom Brokaw will join the choir as a guest narrator. The program will highlight how Americans have risen above the loss and grief of 9/11. The performance can be viewed on BYUtv or streamed live at BYUtv.org.
