UK Honors the Fallen of 9/11
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 11, 2020) — On this 19th anniversary of 9/11, the University of Kentucky Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC programs are remembering those who died in the tragic terrorist attacks that rocked the nation.
The vigil will take place from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. today.
Lt. Col. Kyle Yates, professor of military science at UK, says UK ROTC cadets will continue the tradition of dressing in uniform and placing small flags in memory of each of the nearly 3,000 victims of 9/11 on the front lawn of UK's Main Building facing South Limestone. From a podium, cadets will also read the name of each victim throughout the day. Yates will provide brief opening remarks at 8:42 a.m. and cadets will begin reading the names at 8:46 a.m., when the first attack occurred.
A large flag has also been erected, and a cadet will continually march in front of the flag carrying a replica rifle until all names have been read.
Students and community members are welcome to observe and take photos, organizers just ask they do not disturb the cadets reading the names or performing guard duty.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.