Thousands of miniature American flags decorated the lawns of Wilson Plaza today – one for each of the 2,977 victims of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center 12 years ago.
Jake Kohlhepp, a second-year economics and political science student, set up the memorial with his father on behalf of Bruin Republicans to commemorate the anniversary of 9/11. Bruin Republicans have organized memorials on Sept. 11 for the last few years, Kohlhepp said.
“9/11 was a pivotal part of American history. It is a pivotal part of my generation’s history,” Kohlhepp said about why he chose to set up the memorial.
Kohlhepp, who sat near the memorial all day, said about 200 people stopped to take pictures and to observe a moment of silence.
Eileen Lee, a second-year physiological science student, said she had goose bumps when she saw the memorial.
“I remember thinking (early) this morning that if I stayed up till 5 (a.m.), it would be 8 a.m. Eastern (Standard) Time when it happened,” Lee said.
Kohlhepp said he overheard several people passing by say they did not remember that today was the anniversary of the terrorist attack.
Eileen Joseph, a second-year biochemistry student, who stopped to take a picture of the memorial said she did not remember the date until someone mentioned it in one of her classes.
“That’s why we’re doing it,” Kohlhepp said. “We’re trying to keep the beacon still alive.”
Compiled by Chandini Soni, Bruin senior staff.
GO BR!
The republicans caused the war! there should be a law inditing restrictions against republican groups on this campus. Shameful we allow them to share this campus with us.
Is this comment a joke?
What do you mean joke? Who are you to call it a joke? the Republican party is the reason why it is impossible for minorities to get universal health care and tuition coverage. Why anyone would support such hateful idealogy baffles me.
You know what else is shameful? The fact that we share our beautiful campus with illegal immigrants. Can we end that?
Excuse me, but our people are a proud people who have more entitltement to this land than those of white privelege! Just look at the businesses compared with the jails. Because of white privelege, those in authority have been able to subdue the hard working population through unproportional arrests and prosecution. It’s shameful that people like you are so hateful.
If you don’t like white privilege in this country, then why are your people coming here in droves and breaking the law while they’re at it?
They’re not all breaking the law like Fox News would like you to think. Many are men and womyn who are accused of crimes they did not commit.
I’m not sure what part of “illegal” in the noun “illegal immigrant” you do not understand. The very fact that they illegally came here means they broke the law and hence committed a crime. Oh and it’s “women,” not sure why your spellcheck missed that.
I just don’t understand the though process of someone who would say “go back to Europe.” Do they not realize that this country was literally built from wilderness to a first world country by Europeans, and it would remain a wilderness had it not been for this nation’s white forefathers?
I hope the second part is really a joke. But I couldn’t agree with you more on the first part. Let’s not forget that it was the incompetence a republican president and his cabinet that this horrifying attack occurred. It was then used to declare to pointless wars that only helped those in big businesses, who were actually elected and appointed individuals in government. They made millions out of those wars at the expense of innocent civilian and American soldier lives.
And Obama’s continuance of those wars, expanded use of drones, and drum-beating for war in Syria…how’s that working out? Is war cooler when a Democrat is leading the charge?
On another note – “Let’s act” and “ban them” are morons. Stereotypical examples of what’s wrong with both the left and right.
What is shameful is your hatred, ignorance, and entitlement attitude!
My thoughts go out to the families of those affected by the attacks on September 11th, 2001. Firemen, airmen, civilians, soldiers, but most importantly innocent human beings.
Too bad the article was not titled Bruins remember 9/11.