April 19, 2011

Pi Sigma Alpha raises funds for 9/11 memorial flag project

The Harding University chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, an international
political science honor society, is collecting and raising money to
purchase 381 flags to symbolize victims from foreign countries as part
of the annual Sept. 11 flag display memorial on campus.

Last year, Harding’s American Studies Institute received 3,000 flags
from the Young Americas Foundation to line the front lawn on Sept. 11
to commemorate those affected by the attacks. However, this year, Pi
Sigma Alpha has decided the memorial should more accurately
memorialize the deaths of the 381 non-Americans who were killed as
well.

“We believe it will call attention to the fact that the 9/11 attacks
were targeted primarily at the United States, but it was an attack
against the world,” said Dr. Mark Elrod, professor of political
science.

The flags they collect will honor the 381 victims from 55 different
foreign countries. Some of the flags used for the memorial have been
donated by their respective embassies, but others will have to be
purchased for $3.50 each.

Searcy High School Beta Club has pledged to purchase the 41 flags to
represent India and 66 to represent Great Britain.

In order to raise money for the project, Pi Sigma Alpha will be
holding a fundraiser April 21-22. Flags from different countries will
be on display at a table near the entrance to the bookstore in the
student center on campus. Harding students and faculty will be asked
to vote on their favorite flag by placing money in jars with one of
the eight flags attached to them. The flag that raises the most money
is the winner, and the winning flag will be given to one of the donors
in a drawing.

“The eight flags we're using are Chilé, Italy, China, France, Greece,
Zambia, Great Britain, and Australia. We chose these eight countries
because they are all nations visited by Harding students and faculty
in our international programs,” said Elrod.

Additionally, donations can be sent to Elrod at Harding University Box
10836, Searcy, AR 72149, labeled "Pi Sigma Alpha 9/11 Flag Project."
Call 279-4455 for more information.