Pepperdine University to Honor 9/11 Victims with Waves of Flags Display
On Saturday, September 10, Pepperdine University’s Alumni Park will become home to
the University’s ninth annual Waves of Flags installation. The display will commemorate
the lives lost in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.
Waves of Flags will feature a display of a total of 2,977 full-size flags—2,887 American flags for each American life lost and 90 various international flags representing the home countries of those from abroad who died in the 9/11 attacks.
On September 10, at 1 PM, a group of over 150 volunteers, including Pepperdine faculty, staff, students, and Malibu community members, will join together to install and raise the flags.
The installation became a Pepperdine tradition in 2008 when the College Republicans, inspired by a similar display, wanted to bring the tribute to the University. Now in its ninth year, Waves of Flags has become a significant service project for the Pepperdine community.
Doug Hurley, associate dean of students for Student Activities and Campus Recreation at Pepperdine, highlighted the importance of the installation. “This year Waves of Flags lands on the University’s day of service, Step Forward Day[BROKEN LINK], creating a great opportunity for the Pepperdine community to come together and reflect on the events of 9/11,” he said.
In addition to the Waves of Flags installation, the University is the permanent home of Heroes Garden, a public space for visitors to reflect and honor all those who live heroic lives, including Pepperdine alumnus Thomas E. Burnett, Jr. (MBA ’95), a passenger on United Flight 93 whose life was cut short in the 9/11 attacks.
The garden's plaque reads: “Dedicated to freedom's heroes of September 11, 2001, and the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93, among them Pepperdine alumnus Thomas E. Burnett, Jr., who sacrificed their lives to overcome terrorists’ intent on destroying American lives and landmarks in our nation's capital. We shall never forget.”
Waves of Flags will be open to the public for viewing and visitation at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu Canyon Road from September 10 to September 26.