DAYTON, Ohio — College campuses across the state are remembering those who lost their lives 20 years ago on 9/11.
What You Need To Know
- Dozens of ROTC members got up before the sunrise to place flags at the University of Dayton’s Central Mall
- The nearly 3,000 flags represent each person who lost their lives
- ROTC members said seeing these flags remind them of the sacrifice of so many
- The flags will be up until Sunday morning
As the sun rose on the University of Dayton’s campus, dozens of ROTC students woke up to make sure the victims of 9/11 were honored.
“This is a pretty central location so it gives all the students an opportunity to really stop and reflect among all those victims, first responders and service members who sacrificed their lives during 9/11,” said Abby Herrmann, the cadet battalion commander for UD’s ROTC.
Herrmann was one of those ROTC members who helped place the nearly 3,000 American flags that represent the lives lost on 9/11.
While Herrmann was very young when 9/11 terrorist attacks happened, she said the event has shaped the world she’s grown up in.
“We have grown up in a culture where we have seen the wars going on in Iraq and Afghanistan and a lot of us have family or know of family members who have passed away during those wars,” she said. “So taking this time to really appreciate the sacrifice they made and their courage and bravery during that time is extremely important.”
Now with each flag Herrmann places, she thinks of her future in the military.
“Being a future officer in the Army, seeing these flags, it reminds me of the hardships that the soldiers I will be serving alongside will be going through,” Herrmann said.
The flags will be displayed on campus throughout the weekend, including on Saturday, which marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
Herrmann said she hopes all UD students will take time to reflect on what happened 20 years ago.
“I hope students are able to take a moment and to appreciate all those that valiantly fought during that day and then went abroad, later on, to continue fighting to protect our country,” she said.
