Pepperdine’s Annual Waves of Flags Display Honors Victims of 9/11 Attacks

Pepperdine’s Annual Waves of Flags Display Honors 9/11 Victims

To honor the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Pepperdine will once again stage a display of flags on its expansive lawn at Alumni Park, Malibu—with one flag, of the victim’s nationality, for each of the nearly 3,000 lives lost on that tragic day. 

The installation of the flags, which will be on display until Founder's Day and the close of Pepperdine's 75th anniversary celebrations on September 19, was conceived and led by the University's chapter of the College Republicans in 2008.

Since that time, the display has come to be a focal point in the Malibu community to gather in remembrance and meditation of the innocent lives lost on 9/11, including Tom Burnett, alumnus of the Graziadio School of Business and Management.

Burnett's heroism as a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93 has been well documented. As a result of the passengers' attempt to take control of the hijacked airliner and divert it from reaching the terrorists' target, United 93 crashed in a field in Pennsylvania rather than striking a building or landmark in the nation's capital, causing more loss of human life.

As it has annually since September 2001, the University will conduct a brief prayer service on September 11 at the Heroes Garden, a 14,880-square-foot outdoor sanctuary that overlooks the Pacific Ocean on one of the highest bluffs on the Malibu campus. This year's service will begin at 8:30 a.m., led by University Chaplain, Dave Lemley. The garden serves as a public space to pause, reflect, and honor those who sacrificed their lives on 9/11, including Burnett.

Source: www.pepperdine.edu