Campbellsville University remembers 9/11, dedicates U.S. flag on campus

by Gerard Flanagan, lead writer and communications specialist, Office of Marketing and Communications

Campbellsville, KY (09/16/2025) — From Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas to Trinity Lutheran Church in New York City and now to Campbellsville University in Kentucky.

A flag with a special connection to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, has found its way to CU's campus.

Local first responders and members of the CU community gathered in the Heritage Room of the Heilman Welcome Center to dedicate this flag to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks at CU's Heilman Welcome Center in the Heritage Room.

The flag, which has been placed on permanent display in the Heritage Room, was gifted to Campbellsville University by Father Larry Recla, priest-in-charge of St. Francis Episcopal in Bushnell, Fla. Recla presented the flag to Dr. H. Keith Spears, 11th president of Campbellsville University, during a chapel service in 2021 commemorating the 20thanniversary of the attacks.

Recla volunteered his services to the Red Cross and began working at the Ground Zero Temporary Morgue ("T-morgue") in November 2001. He remained at the site through its closing eight months later.

In 2003, Recla received the flag during a 9/11 memorial event at Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was then serving as pastor. The flag had flown over Goodfellow Air Force Base. The flag was placed on display in the transept of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Becky Chapman, a CU alum who received a Master of Theology degree in 2019, served as a deacon under Recla and accompanied Recla at CU during events honoring the 20th anniversary of 9/11 back in 2021.

Rosendo "Rosey" Velez, a captain with the New York Critical Response Medical Services, was one of the countless first responders to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"God bless you," Velez said to the first responders gathered in the Heritage Room. "I love you. Whenever you need support, you reach out to me. Each and every one of you standing here, you know we're one family, one big family."

Velez noted there are nearly 60,000 first responders in the U.S. who are terminally here, including Velez.

"But by the grace of God, I'm still here," Velez said. "When you look at me, don't think I did anything special. I didn't. I want you in your hearts to pray for the children, for the widows and widowers that we have for the last 24 years have stood strong by."

Velez added, "I'm here from the largest city with the largest fire police and EMS department in the world. I'm here from the world stage because of this university and this university's reach and where it actually has gone to, and that's not by chance. That's by creation. And when I say that, we all know that's from a Higher Power."

Rev. Fella Wilson, chaplain for the Campbellsville/Taylor County EMS and pastor of Woodlawn Christian Church, reminded local first responders that the work they do to serve and protect the residents of Campbellsville and Taylor County is crucial and important.

"For more than 20 years I've been with you," Wilson shared. "I've been watching you bringing hope to those who have lost all hope, doing things that nobody else wants to do, seeing things that nobody else wants to see, going into places where others are fleeing and having memories that you wish you could forget, and you don't, and I have been astounded at your courage and your faithfulness and your service."

Spears shared during the ceremony, "Every generation has the question: 'Where were you?' I can recall when I was a little boy, my parents talking about, 'Where were you on December 7, 1941?' This generation now says, 'Where were you?' Just think for yourself. "

"And if you weren't born by that time, think about your parents and ask them, 'Where were you on September 11, 2001?' When it comes into your heart, then also understand why this flag is here."

Before leading those in attendance in the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, current CU President Dr. Joseph Hopkins shared that, when the national anthem was written, the United States was a mere 36 years old.

"The nation was 36 years old," Hopkins said, "and it was difficult to know then whether or not this dream was going to survive. But in fact, it did survive. The song is written about the fact that the flag is still flying.

"That symbolizes that the dream is still alive, the dream of a nation that would offer liberty, that would offer freedom, freedom such as being able to gather together and pray, freedom such as being able to gather together in a moment like this, and 213 years later, that freedom still exists."

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.

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Rosendo “Rosey” Velez, a captain with the New York Critical Response Medical Services who was one of the countless first responders to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, shares about his experiences as a first responder in New York City and the importance of the work first responders do.

Campbellsville University dedicated a flag on Sept. 11 to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Local first responders and members of the CU administration were among those in attendance.

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University remembers 9/11, dedicates U.S. flag on campus

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Campbellsville University

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