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W&L Gathers to Honor Fallen in 9/11 Attacks The Washington and Lee University community will commemorate the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, with a memorial ceremony and the placing of 2,977 American flags on Stemmons Plaza.

911SOC02-600x400 W&L Gathers to Honor Fallen in 9/11 AttacksStudents put out flags along Stemmons Plaza

Washington and Lee University will commemorate the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with two events: a community flag event and a memorial ceremony.

Two members of the Washington and Lee family were tragically lost in the 9/11 attacks: Rob Schlegel ’85, who died in the Pentagon, and James Gadiel ’00, who died in the World Trade Center.

Schlegel was on the staff of the chief of naval operations at the Pentagon and had been promoted to commander just weeks before the attack. Gadiel worked in the equities department of Cantor Fitzgerald on the 103rd floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center.

On Saturday, Sept. 10, American flags will be placed on Stemmons Plaza to honor those whose lives were lost 21 years ago, including the lives of Schlegel and Gadiel. On Sunday, Sept. 11 at 3 p.m., student organizations will host an interfaith prayer gathering on Stemmons Plaza, followed by a moment of silence, remarks by members of the campus community and a musical tribute performance. Both events are open to the public.

The events are sponsored in part by Students for Historical Preservation, College Democrats, College Republicans, Hillel, The W&L Spectator, W&L Habitat for Humanity and Young America’s Foundation 9/11 Never Forget Project.