UW-Madison College Democrats and UW-Madison College Republicans placed flags on Bascom Hill in remembrance of victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Friday. The nearly 3,000 flags, one to symbolize each person who died from the Sept. 11 attacks, have covered Bascom Hill during the past few years.
""The view and the simple action of students walking past the memorial and remembering what happened ... is the single greatest end result of this project,"" College Republicans chair Stephen Duerst said.
Chelsea Domer, vice chair of UW-Madison College Democrats, said she was happy to volunteer and put in a joint effort with the College Republicans.
""It was just really awesome to know that there are some things in this political climate that go beyond partisanship, and above it, and are just American things,"" she said.
The display was featured on ESPN during its telecast of the Wisconsin football game.
""I'm glad that was incorporated [into the broadcast] and people were able to see that college students have paid a fitting tribute to quite possibly the most significant event of our generation,"" Duerst said.
Previously, the flag display has been accompanied by a ceremony.
Duerst said the ceremony could not take place this year because the reservation system for UW-Madison properties would not allow it.
Duerst said he was told they could move the commemoration ceremony to Library Mall, but decided the Bascom Hill memorial would have more impact than a ceremony.
