Remembering 9/11

Early today, Lehigh's Student Senate held their second annual flag memorial on the University Center front lawn in honor of the 14th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Starting at 6:30 a.m., student volunteers planted 2,977 flags to represent each life that was lost that day. More than 300 students representing various leadership organizations and athletic teams across campus volunteered their time to set up the memorial and remove the flags later in the day.

“We want as many members of the Lehigh community as possible to see the memorial and remember those whose lives were lost,” said Student Senate President Anna D’Ginto. “It is an incredibly simple yet moving illustration of the immensity of the day.” 

In addition to the flag memorial, Lehigh also has a "Living Memorial," which consists of 12 trees with bronze dedication plaques beneath them, that line the walkway along the south side of the Alumni Memorial building.

The 12 trees represent a permanent living memorial to the eight alumni and four parents of alumni who lost their lives on 9/11. A plaque at the entrance of the memorial explains: "as the roots of these trees grow into the earth and take hold, so will the memories of our beloved Lehigh family fills our hearts and minds. Let this memorial forever stand as a physical remembrance of our Lehigh family members who lost their lives in the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001." 

Story by Emma Fried

Photos by Christa Neu