The anniversary of the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, will be observed at Samford University with several special speakers and a memorial service. The public is invited to attend any of the events.

U.S. Navy Capt. John Pruitt, former deputy director of naval training and education at Navy headquarters at the Pentagon, will speak Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m. in Reid Chapel. Pruitt's office received extensive damage from the airliner that hit the building on Sept. 11. He is now commander of Naval Air Station Pensacola. A Samford graduate, he is the father of a current Samford student.

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, a memorial service will be held at 7:30 a.m. to dedicate U.S. and Alabama flags that fly on the front lawn of the campus. According to Samford Student Government Association president Laura Wilson, the flagpoles and flags were installed this summer in response to student interest in having flags displayed in a central spot on campus after the events of last September.

U.S. Army Col. Kenneth Brown, chaplain of the 101st Airborne Division, will speak Thursday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. in Reid Chapel. He served with the 101st in Afghanistan during the past year.