Despite pouring rain and a chill in the air, Samuel Settle did not let Friday's gloomy weather stop him from honoring the victims of Sept. 11.
Settle (sophomore-political science and history) was one of five members of the Penn State Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) who planted flags Friday morning on the HUB-Robeson Center lawn to mark the 8-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Students braving the weather Friday saw about 1,500 flags planted on the lawn, forming "9-11."
Settle, who also serves as president of the Penn State College Republicans, said the group's goal was to place about 3,000 flags in the lawn, with each flag representing a victim who had fallen during the attacks. But because of a lack of manpower, the group had to settle for putting up about half that number, Settle said.
The flags were donated by the 9/11: Never Forget Project, a program that helps colleges commemorate Sept. 11, Settle said.
YAF President Eric Barzydlo (junior-international politics) said that despite his group's conservative views, the project was meant to bring everyone on campus together.
"This is supposed to be a memorial -- a time to honor the victims and not be divided or partisan about anything," Barzydlo said. "It's something we feel like we should do."
YAF Vice President Addison Brandt (junior-neuroscience) said although the flags were up for only one day, she hoped people would still remember the cause.
Barzydlo said this is the second year the group has done this project, and he's hoping to continue it.
"Right now it's pretty much our thing to do, but we hope other groups support it," he said. "It's important people don't forget about this day, and this is our way of reminding them."
