Thousands of tiny flags made a big statement Thursday as Troy University students gathered to remember Sept. 11.

Dozens of students, faculty members and others gathered before the Trojan fountain on the quad for a noon ceremony sponsored by the College Republicans.

The crowd stood in a sea of red and white and blue — 3,000 American flags dotted the quad, each placed in memory of those killed by the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

College Republican Chairman Kristen Carter said that last year — the first year the group sponsored the event — it took a small group of students hours to place all the flags. This year, more students showed up to help and the job took less than an hour.

“This truly shows me than Troy students really care and can come together for a good cause,” Carter said.

The anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is a time to put aside political differences, Carter said.

“It’s a time for us to gather together … and take time to honor the fallen heroes of Sept. 11,” she said.

Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford, guest speaker for the ceremony, praised Troy’s students for organizing the event.

“It makes me proud to see that patriotism and love of county are not absent in today’s young people,” Lunsford said. “We must remembered those who are dead and those who are still fighting.”

The ceremony featured a time of prayer and a moment of silence in which heads were bowed and a trumpet rang out taps.

Lunsford encouraged students to be a part of improving the nation.

“The challenge is on you to make this country better,” Lunsford said. “Let people know that we are proud of America.”