Tempe Healing Field an annual tribute to the lives lost on 9/11

On 25th anniversary of the attacks, ASU students and community volunteers install thousands of flags at Tempe Beach Park

By Penny Walker, ASU News
September 10, 2026

Photos by Emma Fitzgerald
ASU News student photographer and Cronkite School sports journalism major

Before the sun had crested "A" Mountain, they gathered. Arizona State University ROTC students, student-athletes and members of the community solemnly planted thousands of U.S. flags across Tempe Beach Park on Thursday.

With music and prayer, the group took part in the Tempe Healing Field, an annual tribute to those who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The flags will remain through Sunday, with an array of public events — all organized by the Exchange Club of Tempe — to mark the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

But first, before the candlelight vigil and the community gatherings to come over the rest of the weekend, the field had to be set up.

Above: Ken Bowers prays with the crowd before the Tempe Healing Fields are set up at Tempe Beach Park on Sept. 10.
Below: Musicians perform during the ceremony.

Above and below: The group takes a moment to honor the national anthem.

Above: ASU ROTC students, including second-year history student Richard Sun (right), help plant flags at Tempe Beach Park on Thursday morning.

Above: Fourth-year business administration student Menachem Susskind (left) and third-year financial planning student Joanna Allowanou take part in the setting up of the Tempe Healing Field.

This story originally appeared on ASU News.