Jacquie Graham, a student at the University of Colorado, places American flags into the ground near the Norlin Quad on Thursday night as part of a remembrance of the Sept. 11 victims. ( MARTY CAIVANO )

The 2,977 American flags dotting Norlin Quad at the University of Colorado represent the 2,977 people killed in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.

The hope is that students, the youngest of whom were just 10 years old in 2001, will pause from their daily routine and reflect on the events eight years ago Friday.

"The first year after, people really cared and felt united as Americans," said sophomore Danielle Green. "People don't think about it as much anymore. I hope seeing something like this would make people care."

It took less than half an hour for about 40 students from the College Republicans to put out the flags Thursday night.

They worked quickly, with some students joking about their crooked rows and others adjusting errant flags to straighten the lines. The flags will remain on the quad until Sunday afternoon.

College Republicans put out similar displays at CU-Colorado Springs, Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CSU-Pueblo, the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and the Auraria Campus in Denver.

CU-Boulder College Republicans Chairman Gregory Carlson, a junior, said the tribute is not intended to be political in any way. He said he tried to approach the College Democrats about doing the display together, but it took too much advance planning to order the flags in time.

Carlson said he hopes students who come across the display are "pleasantly surprised and remember and think it looks nice."

"Although it was one of the darkest days of our history, the amazing acts of heroism and courage demonstrated the best in the human character," he said.

Contact Camera Staff Writer Erica Meltzer at 303-473-1355 or meltzere@dailycamera.com.