The Indiana University chapter of Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) honored the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack with a flag display in Dunn Meadow. The tribute featured 2,977 American flags in remembrance of the 2,507 civilians, 344 firefighters and paramedics, 71 law enforcement officers, and 55 military personnel who perished 20 years ago today during the deadliest terrorist event in world history.
As the group placed the flags, arranged into two towers meant to symbolize the fallen World Trade Center, a number of Indiana University professors and other passersby stopped to pay their respects to the fallen and offer their thanks to the chapter members for ensuring that the tragedy of 9/11 is never forgotten.
YAF told The Crimson Post that they were “eager” to “honor the lives lost” after being unable to last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The 9/11 ‘Never Forget’ Project is an annual tradition that YAF chapters across the country take on. It is a beautiful way that we and others, as Americans, can honor the lives lost on that tragic day along with the many brave fallen men since then,” YAF stated. “After not being able to organize it effectively last year in the crazy year we all endured at IU, we as a chapter were eager to get back into it this year and, though it is a somber event, are forever grateful that we can take on such a project to Never Forget.”
IU’s YAF chapter is not the only organization honoring the victims of 9/11, memorials have appeared on university campuses across the country, including at Michigan State, the University of Alabama, the University of Texas, Penn State, and the University of Texas.
Notably, IU suspended YAF for a time last year due to a supposed issue with their faculty sponsor. The matter has since been resolved and the group is now more active than ever and hopes to continue to offer meaningful contributions to the IU community.
