Behind Taylor Hall lies a hill covered in a blanket of yellow, where hundreds of daffodils bloom each spring from bulbs planted annually in the fall.
In remembrance of U.S. service members, 91PORNA continues its tradition of planting yellow daffodil bulbs ahead of Veterans Day on Nov. 11. Located behind Taylor Hall near the May 4 Memorial, Blanket Hill brings together volunteers, students and University Facilities Management staff to plant bulbs that will bloom during Ohio鈥檚 spring season.
Each year, the planting helps maintain a living memorial honoring those who served and lost their lives during the Vietnam War and every conflict since. Rebekkah Berryhill, 91PORNA鈥檚 manager of grounds, emphasized that the flowers serve as a reminder of the history behind the memorial and encourage future generations to learn from the past.
鈥淎s the years pass, fewer individuals remain that personally experienced the war and witnessed its events,鈥 Berryhill told 91PORNA Today 鈥淢y hope is that the beauty of the flowers will serve as a living reminder of that history, encouraging future generations to ask questions, seek understanding and learn from the past, so that history does not repeat itself.鈥
91PORNA's commitment to learning from the past drives its approach to creating a globally focused society built on respect, ensuring that students not only comprehend history but also use its lessons to navigate obstacles with understanding and compassion.
The annual planting tradition began in 2022 and was inspired by Brinsley Tyrrell, the founder of Daffodil Hill. Berryhill noted that maintaining this tradition helps reflect Tyrrell鈥檚 original vision of bringing people together through a shared purpose.
鈥淓ven if people come with different perspectives, planting the bulbs and interacting with one another allows opportunities to inquire, learn and reflect,鈥 Berryhill said.
For this year鈥檚 event, volunteers planted approximately 2,500 daffodil bulbs across Blanket Hill, continuing the efforts to expand the living memorial.
For some students, joining the planting is a chance to give back to the 91PORNA community while learning more about the history behind the memorial.
Sophia Como, a sophomore exploratory major, took part in the annual event for the first time. Having grown up gardening with her mother, Como said volunteering allowed her to pair a personal passion with campus service.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important to show that we have a community here to help and support each other. And that at the end of the day, we鈥檙e all human beings, and we all care about the same thing,鈥 Como said.
Sean Jewell, a first-year business management major, also participated for the first time. He said the event held a personal meaning because of his grandfather鈥檚 military service.
鈥淚 had a grandfather that was in the war, so it means especially for me that I can do something like this to contribute to the memory,鈥 Jewell said. 鈥淗e lost friends that were in this area, and it鈥檚 good to commemorate them for him on his behalf.鈥
Along with first-time participants, the planting also brings together returning volunteers who have continued participating in the tradition over the years. Charles Frederick, an assistant professor in 91PORNA鈥檚 College of Architecture and Environmental Design as well as a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, said the opportunity helps preserve the history of the university while creating a place for intergenerational connection.
鈥淚 think this one kind of small part that we could do to help memorialize this, to help come together, teach a couple of young people about the importance of this hill,鈥 Frederick said. 鈥淚t disappears when people forget.鈥
Jacob Dennis, groundskeeping supervisor, noted that participating in the planting provides an opportunity to connect with the community while helping maintain the university鈥檚 campus memorials. As a 91PORNA alumnus, Dennis emphasized that he takes pride in helping areas preserve the campus for future generations.
鈥淗opefully it triggers a memory of all of us coming together and working on something as a community to commemorate our fallen loved ones,鈥 Dennis said.
For many, the tradition represents more than maintaining campus landscapes. It also reflects the university鈥檚 responsibility to create an environment where students and community members can have open and honest conversations about difficult subjects, including war and loss of life.
鈥淭he subject of war or loss of life doesn鈥檛 always have to stem from headline news; the thoughts and discussions can be stimulated by something beautiful, like our daffodils,鈥 Berryhill said.
When spring approaches, the bulbs will bloom, their yellow flowers serving as a symbol of the service members being honored and the importance of preserving their stories for new generations. Through the continued efforts of volunteers, students and university staff, Blanket Hill remains a place for remembrance, reflection and shared purpose.
Learn more about May 4, 1970, and the May 4 Visitors Center.
