University of Michigan students celebrate death of Osama bin Laden on South University

But Mejia felt pride and drew some attention waving his newly acquired American flag on the corner of the street.

“We tried for the Diag to see if anyone congregated,” Mejia said. “Then we came to the bars, because there was no one there.”

Others tried, too, usually walking by, seeing no one around and then proclaiming they’d head to the bars to celebrate instead.

As Mejia stood and waved his flag attached to a makeshift pole, a group of newly inducted ROTC students walked by, sprayed and broke champagne bottles on the ground in front of Good Tyme Charley’s and made their way to the Brown Jug.

Cars drove past, horns honking. Two motorcycles led a red Jeep driving around the South University area, blasting patriotic American songs. A group of girls singing along screamed out open windows.

Another car drove by with a bullhorn, screaming, “USA, Yeaahhh.”

Groups of students posed with Mejia and his flag. A trio of students wrapped in American gear marched around the streets, one carrying and blowing a vuvuzela between “USA, USA” chants.

Mike Martin, a Michigan football player, walked by, touched Mejia’s flag and said, “Yeah, America,” and gave Mejia a high-five.

Overall, though, there wasn’t as much of a party in Ann Arbor as in other college towns across the country. Most students stopped by for a second on their way to various bars.

As they did, Mejia stood on the corner, waving his flag and trying to get as many people as possible to celebrate.

“It’s just a good night to be an American,” Mejia said. “I heard a lot and we were here during the 2008 celebration for (the election of) Obama and that was a good time. Figured it would happen again.”

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by email at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein