GVSU remembers 9/11 attacks

On the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, nearly 3,000 flags were placed on the Allendale and Grand Rapids campuses of Grand Valley State University. Each flag represented an individual who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The flags, located in the arboretum of the Allendale campus and the courtyard of the Grand Rapids campus, corresponded to the nationality of the victims.

The theme for this event is "Today we are all Americans," which is taken from a quote by a French woman in the streets of Paris on the day of the attacks.

"The theme represents the breaking down of borders and the worldwide sharing of one common emotion, which is also displayed by the flags representing the victims from all over the world," said Jeff Green, a member of the Student Senate and program coordinator.

Throughout the day "Taps" was played by the Grand Valley State University Brass Ensemble at times corresponding to key moments of that tragic day.

The event sponsors include GVSU Student Senate, Asian Student Union, International Relations Union, Latino Student Union, and the Russian Circle.