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Pepperdine Hosts Flag Display and Tributes to Honor the Victims of 9/11

Honoring the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Pepperdine University’s expansive lawn at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu Canyon Road will display one flag for each of the nearly 3,000 lives lost on 9/11, beginning on September 11 and continuing through September 19.  

The flag memorial is the work of students, faculty, staff, volunteers, and Facilities Management and Planning staff. The tribute was conceived originally and led by the University's chapter of the College Republicans in 2008.

As it has annually since September 2001, the University plans to stage a brief prayer service on Friday, Sept. 10 at the Heroes Garden, a 14,880-square-foot outdoor garden which honors 9/11 victims and overlooks the Pacific Ocean on one of the highest bluffs on the Malibu campus. This year's service begins at 8:30 a.m.

The College Republicans will host Lt. Col. Robert "Buzz" Patterson (USAF-Ret.) as the keynote 9/11 memorial speaker, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Elkins Auditorium on the Malibu campus. Patterson served as the Senior Military Aide to President Clinton from 1996-98 and will sign copies of his newly released book, Conduct Unbecoming, following his presentation. For tickets and information, contact Christopher Garcia.

The Heroes Garden serves as a public space to pause, reflect, and honor those who sacrificed their lives on 9/11 including Tom Burnett, 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.

Volunteers are sought to participate in the installation of the 9/11 flag display. All materials will be provided by the University. To learn more, visit the Volunteer Center Web site.