About 900 American flags placed on Walker Lawn as part of Michigan Tech’s annual 9/11 memorial were stolen in the early hours of Sep. 11, 2025, according to the City of Houghton Police Department. The memorial, organized by the campus chapter of Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) and ROTC, originally included 2,977 flags to honor the victims of the Sep. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The City of Houghton Police Department has opened an investigation into the incident. While police declined to provide additional comment, they directed inquiries to the university.
Michigan Tech confirmed the incident in a statement from Rick White, Executive Director of Strategic Communication, speaking as a university spokesperson. “We are aware of the American flags on Walker Lawn stolen from the memorial tribute to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attack,” the statement read. “This act of vandalism on a symbol meant to unite us all is deeply disappointing. We are working to identify the individual who committed the vandalism and will hold them responsible for their actions.”
Donald Chapman, president of YAF, said the display serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of 9/11 on younger generations. “To me, the 9/11 memorial is all about coming together as Americans to remember those who died in the attacks. We must never forget the heroism displayed by first responders and everyday citizens,” Chapman said.
He added that the memorial carries special importance for students who did not witness the attacks firsthand. “Many of us grew up in a post-9/11 world where we did not experience it on the news or in person, and many of us do not grasp just how tragic and impactful it was,” Chapman said. “Much of our country’s policy has been shaped by the reaction to 9/11, and it is one of the most significant political events in American history.”
Chapman confirmed that YAF has been in communication with university officials and public safety. He said the organization is prepared to pursue charges once further details are made available, and noted that the university has already identified and spoken with the offender, though he was not aware of the outcome of those discussions.
The 9/11 memorial has been an annual tradition at Michigan Tech, with students and community members gathering at Walker Lawn to reflect on the attacks. Despite this year’s vandalism, the event remained in place throughout the day.
