The Young Americans for Freedom chapter at the University of North Georgia planted nearly 3,000 American flags on the Gainesville Campus in remembrance of 9/11.
Sponsored by the Young America’s Foundation, the “9/11: Never Forget Project” encourages universities and high schools across the country to honor those who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attacks. The project kicked off in 2003, with hundreds of campuses joining each year.
“There are 154 Universities across the U.S. that are taking part in the project, and I believe over 100 high schools,” said Christian Calvert, SEC Program Officer for Campus Advancement for the Young America’s Foundation.
The UNG chapter planted the flags outside of the Student Center on Sept. 10. The flags will remain up for the day of 9/11 but will be taken down by Sept. 13. Each of the 2,977 flags represents one person that was killed at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and United Flight 93, according to YAF Chapter President Henry Norris.
“We don’t want people to forget the events that happened on September 11th,” Norris said. “All too long, people move away from it, and we want people to remember.”
Calvert explained that YAF believes reminding university students of the attacks is essential as younger generations become more removed from the tragedy.
“The intention is simply to bring awareness to the event and honor the victims, especially over two decades after the event happened,” he said. “… Most young people weren’t even born when it happened, so reminding the country of the terrible event – what happened and the lives lost – is the goal.”
Calvert added that in recent years, the foundation has also offered posters with information regarding the impacts of terrorism on the U.S.
UNG’s chapter did not choose to display them on campus alongside the memorial.
“I think it’s important to remember the victims. … I love America, I love this country, so anything I could do to support veterans who fought in the war after this, American families that lost their family members that day– it’s just important to me.” – Lauren Nelson, Vice President for the Young Americans for Freedom chapter at UNG
The chapter collaborated with student veterans and Cadets at the UNG Military College to bring the project to life on the Gainesville Campus. Among them was Thomas Evans, a specialist in the U.S. Army and finance student at UNG.
“Being in the military itself, this event has shaped a lot of my experience in the service, and as an older student, I actually remember 9/11,” Evans shared. “I watched it live on TV as it happened. And so, this is something I personally remember, and I make it a thing to be a part of some 9/11 event every year, simply because I remember the effect its had on me.”
