In August 2008 reinforced metal was sprouting up all over 佩珀代因大学’s 校友 Park. Nearly 3,000 rebar poles were being driven straight into the ground because of one idea called “Waves of Flags.”

这个项目背后的主要发起者之一是一个名叫Ryan Sawtelle（09届）的学生。 Working alongside his fellow students in the College Republicans club, the Student Activities Office, and University administration, the 西维尔大学 economics major worked tirelessly to bring about an ambitious display. The mission was to provide the public with a new and meaningful way to begin healing from the scars left by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which had deeply affected the country just seven years prior. To accomplish this feat, Sawtelle and his collaborators set out to raise one flag on Pepperdine’s Malibu campus for each individual who was killed that day.

Inspired by similar memorials across the nation, Sawtelle helped spearhead a complex effort to accomplish this goal. His persistence to see the memorial through ultimately resulted in Pepperdine’s annual Waves of Flags display, a powerful monument comprising 2,977 flags that fly alongside California’s scenic Pacific Coast Highway.

“有一种叛逆的精神激励着我，”索特尔说。 “Especially when I know what I’m doing is right.”

By following this internal moral directive, Sawtelle played a critical role in the great task of bringing Waves of Flags to the Malibu campus and, as an unexpected result, discovered a deep passion for supporting the veteran community—a vocation he now lives out with his nonprofit organization, 白色的心, and its annual 骑到旗帜上 event.

骑到旗帜上

索特尔在校友公园的山坡上安装了2977面旗帜后并没有停止。 Instead he immediately launched into another idea—a community motorcycle ride to observe the memorial display he had just erected and raise money to support wounded veterans.

参加者骑摩托车前往国旗活动

他解释说：“我开始遇到那些没有得到所需帮助的退伍军人。 “ My eyes were opened to the fact that these service members aren't receiving enough support through the Veterans Affairs or through the government, so we need to help them.”

《奔向旗帜》于2008年同一年诞生。 The event’s inaugural pilgrimage featured approximately 250 motorcyclists from different clubs that the Seaver student cold-called in his free time. The group gathered at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley and drove to Malibu together as one cohesive unit.

The purpose of this two-wheeled jaunt was less about spectacle and more about charity, as Sawtelle sought to raise money for the Intrepid Heroes Fund—a nonprofit that builds treatment centers for United States veterans. This humanitarian initiative has fueled the 骑到旗帜上 event ever since its inception and played a key role in growing the motorcade of participants.

在16年的经营历程中，索特尔这个一时兴起的想法不断发展壮大。 Now, as many as 1,000 motorcyclists parade together toward the memorial. Boy Scouts form a flag line to salute the riders. 消防车一路护送他们。 And celebrities have even gotten involved, as actor Rob Lowe has begun taking part in the festivities.

This year, on September 8, 2024, more than 400 motorcycles gathered at Point Mugu Naval Base for a 9/11 remembrance ceremony. From there, they traveled down the Pacific Coast Highway toward Malibu Bluffs Park, where a celebration complete with food trucks, live music, and raffles ensued.

All of these festivities were centered around advocating on behalf of and supporting veterans of the United States military. The funds that were generated from this year's 骑到旗帜上 will go toward creating a retreat center where veterans can come together and take strides toward improved mental health. This is the objective of Sawtelle’s nonprofit, 白色的心.

白色的心

The domino effect of Sawtelle’s Waves of Flags idea eventually led him to create White Heart, a nonprofit concerned with the plight of military veterans and first responders. After forming the organization in 2011, Sawtelle began raising money to provide those wounded in battle with life-saving or altering surgeries; however, this strategy has since shifted.

军人们在奔旗仪式上敬礼

“心理健康方面的问题令人震惊，”索特尔说。 “Nothing really matters if you're not mentally well. So 白色的心 switched its philosophy from raising funds for single, individual veterans toward raising funds for our mental health eco-therapy program. That’s where we have seen a lot of great impact and good support from the public.”

白色的心 offers a range of retreats where large groups of veterans and first responders can gather in community and engage in the healing process together. These retreats immerse participants in outdoor recreational activities such as whitewater rafting, kayaking, and rock climbing. The camaraderie and team spirit fostered during these excursions offer those who were in the line of duty valuable outlets for processing their experiences. Whether through forging close bonds with trusted friends or overcoming physical challenges, 白色的心 provides those who have sacrificed for the country with meaningful opportunities for healing.

By focusing on the psychosocial elements of wellness, Sawtelle’s nonprofit has been able to make a difference in the lives of countless individuals. In order to create such an impact, the 西维尔大学 alumnus has had to rely on his rebellious spirit, innovative ideas, and a community of support.

As an economics major at 佩珀代因大学, Sawtelle began to take classes in nonprofit management from Regan Schaffer, who now serves as the dean of the Business 政府 Division. Schaffer provided Sawtelle with wise counsel as a professor and now as a post-grad mentor.

“谢弗博士是佩珀代因大学最有影响力的人之一，”索特尔说。 “To this day, if I have a nonprofit question, I text Regan and get her take on the situation.”

然而，这种合作关系并不是单向的。 Schaffer reported how Sawtelle has gone on to help current 西维尔大学 students, granting them internships and real-world experiences in the nonprofit sector while they’re still enrolled in school. More than that, she is excited and proud to walk with a student through their vocational journey.

“作为一名学生，瑞安对自己想做的事情有自己的愿景，”谢弗说。 “He wanted to work with veterans. Many students come to us with ideas like that, but to actually execute your vision is something else. 瑞恩做了，他在课堂上也做了。 我很荣幸他能让我和他一起走过人生的每一步。”

What started as an idea in a college classroom has now blossomed into an organization with headquarters in two different 华体会体育s—an organization concerned with the plight of others and centered around service.

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索特尔说：“我没想到我的人生会走上这条路。” “It all started with the flags.”

军人将美国国旗挂在消防车的梯子上

Through his advocacy to install 2,977 flags to fly on 校友 Park, Sawtelle hoped to inspire renewed awareness of 9/11 across the west coast. In Malibu, that vision endures 16 years later, as Waves of Flags remains a powerful and respected tradition at 佩珀代因大学. This year, on September 7, 2024, the flags were installed by dozens of community volunteers committed to honoring those who lost their lives to terrorism.

Beyond that, though, the flags Sawtelle helped plant day after day became the foundation for his dedication to veteran-oriented aid. Since that initial display, the Seaver College alumnus has raised millions of dollars for wounded service members, launched initiatives to offer hope, and channeled his talent, ingenuity, and education into purposeful leadership.

“It's odd to think about how much my life revolves around the Wave of Flags,” Sawtelle says. “我这么做不是为了出名。 我做这件事是为了慈善。 I’m glad that Pepperdine is now committed to the tradition of creating a living memorial for those who lost their lives in 9/11.”