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Pepperdine Hosts Prayer Service on Anniversary of September 11, 2001

University Chaplain Dave Lemley will lead a prayer service on Tuesday, Sept. 11, to remember the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and honor the nearly 3,000 victims, including Pepperdine alumnus Tom Burnett. The service will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Heroes Garden, Malibu. 

Pepperdine has hosted a prayer service every year since that day in 2001. Heroes Garden is a 14,880-square-foot outdoor sanctuary that overlooks the Pacific Ocean on one of the highest bluffs on the Malibu campus. The garden serves as a public space to pause, reflect, and honor those who sacrificed their lives on 9/11, including Burnett, an 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.

In 2008, the University began its "Waves of Flags" tradition at the front of the Malibu campus, flying one flag, of the victim's nationality, for each of the nearly 3,000 lives lost on that tragic day. 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. The flags will be on display at Alumni Park, Malibu, until September 19.

For more information, contact the Chaplain's Office at (310) 506-4275 or visit the Office of the Chaplain website.