More than 400 small flags will adorn the center of campus Thursday as part of the Binghamton University community’s day-long remembrance of the Sept. 11 attacks seven years ago.

Morning ceremonies start at 8:40 a.m. in front of the Couper Administration Building, giving way to the Day of Caring and the Mitzvah Marathon events, which offer community service opportunities. After tabling by various charities and a blood drive set up by the Red Cross, the night is set to end near the New University Union food court at 9:11 p.m. with a reading of the names of all 2,977 people killed in the attacks.

The “flag-garden” is planned between the New Union and the Glenn G. Bartle Library Tower, and 6-by-10 inch flags will be placed in the grass near the main walkway. Each flag represents a New York City police officer, firefighter or Port Authority police officer killed on Sept. 11.

“The nice thing about this is it’s low key, but at the same time it’s still very visual,” said John Jensen, president of the Binghamton College Republicans, who planned the event.

Initially the College Republicans hoped to obtain a flag to represent every victim of the attacks, but the planning began late. Instead, the Binghamton chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars donated all of the more than 400 flags.

The idea for the garden came from a conservative group, Young America’s Foundation. Jensen believes that when remembering Sept. 11, however, politics don’t come into play.

“This particular thing is non-political. That’s what we wanted to do,” he said.

In front of Couper in the morning, bells will signify when the first plane struck the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. Afterward the American flag will be raised from half-staff by three to four New York State University Police officers, with a performance of “America the Beautiful” by Tony Villecco, an Africana Studies faculty member.

Flowers will be placed in the Memorial Courtyard in the Fine Arts Building in memory of the 15 BU alumni killed in the World Trade Center.

“We would encourage everybody to attend because it’s a fitting tribute to not only alumni, but all who were lost,” said Deputy Chief of University Police Tim Faughnan.

BU and the United Way of Broome County planned the Day of Caring activities, which connect volunteers with numerous local projects, including cleaning, painting and planting. Chabad House, Hillel and the Jewish Heritage Program will run the Mitzvah Marathon, where participants perform a good deed in memory of 9/11 victims. The Mitzvah Marathon will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. between the University Union and the Library Tower.

Tabling for various organizations, including Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse — where sandwiches can be prepared for the homeless — will be held in the food court.

— Ashley Tarr contributed to this report.