UNIVERSITY PARK – In the five years following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the foiled attempt that resulted in the crash of United Flight 93, thousands of Americans have been called or recalled to active military duty through America’s armed services. Hundreds of Penn Staters are among those asked to serve and protect America’s freedoms.
As of Sept. 7 of this year, there have been 635 University students — including 50 who assisted with Hurricane Katrina efforts last year — and 37 University employees called to active military duty since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Spring 2003 saw the most students called, with 207 military activations, nearly a third of the student total. Since the start of 2006, there have been 34 students called to active duty. Currently one University employee is actively serving in the military.