LEWISBURG -- Early Monday afternoon on the Bucknell University campus, a few raindrops fell like tears onto a field of 2,996 American flags honoring each of the innocent victims of Sept. 11.
And then the sun came out, illuminating the beauty of a memorial constructed on the uphill lawn of the university's Elaine Langone Center by the Bucknell University Conservatives Club. The memorial will be on display until Thursday.
This is the third year the club has constructed the memorial.
Samantha Soller, of Toms River, N.J., a junior, and the vice president of the Conservatives Club, said: "We do this in conjunction with the Young Americans Foundation, which is a nonprofit group outside of (Washington) D.C. They get colleges to participate in what they call the Never Forget' project.
"We added our own twist to it though. We ask people to sponsor flags for a dollar, and all the money we collect goes to the Semper Fi Fund, a charity that mostly assists wounded Marines returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. You pay a dollar, and you can put a message on the flag in honor of someone."
Last year, the club raised $605.
Nick Mozal, a senior from Exeter, and president of the club, said, "The memorial transcends party labels and political leanings of conservative or liberal.
"Bucknell recruits kids from northern New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. If you're from one of these areas, especially, you can't help but know someone who was affected by the terrorist attack. There was a girl who bought a flag Monday morning whose uncle had died. He worked at one of the World Trade Center towers."
"I think the reaction on campus has been good," Ms. Soller said. "They definitely respect it. We haven't had any issues of it being torn down. Kids reflect it. Remember, the freshman class was only 12 when it happened."
"Many people are behind this," Mr. Mozal agreed. "It's not a divisive issue. It's just American flags. When people see the 2,996 flags, they are moved and they realize how this attack really affected our nation. It's easy to forget because it all happened six years ago, but kids do remember that day, remember where they were. It was a turning point for our generation. We're all affected by it. They understand it. They feel it. It's important to us.
"It is also a fitting tribute to the men and women who died that day, to support those who are currently serving on the front lines working to make sure an attack like this never happens again."
Those interested in making a contribution can do so today. Go to the ground floor of the Langone Center, where tables will be set up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In other news, The Sept. 11 commemoration planned for tonight in Northumberland has been moved inside due to inclement weather. The event, which begins at 7 p.m., will be held at the American Legion Post 44 on Route 11.
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Flag display honors dead, helps living
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