9/11 Day of Service Events

The University of Central Oklahoma observes its annual 9/11 Day of Service on Thursday, Sept. 11, with two remembrance events to honor lives lost and recognize first responders with the help of community engagement.

The 9/11 Day of Service was established in 2011, 10 years after the attacks. This year marks the 15th time that UCO has held the event.

The Day of Service is part of a larger schedule of remembrance activities at UCO. Earlier that day, UCO will hold its Flag Planting and Reflection Walk at Broncho Lake.

American flags will be placed on the lawn as a visual tribute to those affected by the attacks. This event is open to everyone from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“About 40 to 50 volunteers typically participate in the Day of Service, while nearly 200 students and community members attend the flag planting. Many return year after year, making the event a personal tradition,” Jaiden Ingram, coordinator of Community Engagement, said.

Students, faculty, and staff can also participate in cooking spaghetti dinner and share a meal with firefighters at Edmond fire stations from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The decision to serve meals at fire stations was chosen as a way to recognize firefighters and create opportunities for connection.

“These events encourage students to think about how they support their neighbors in everyday life, not just throughout a tragedy. A lot of this support is found through people finding service opportunities around them to help uplift their community.” Ingram said. 

She continued to say, “So much of our current world was shaped by this event, and its effects are still unfolding and still seen throughout so much of the world. More importantly, we hope students can reflect on how they serve their community when it is needed the most and when it isn’t at the forefront of people’s minds.”

For more information about the flag planting, remembrance walk, and service activities, go to the UCO website and click on the community engagement tab, or email volunteer@uco.edu.

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