Patriot Day Commemoration Flag of Honor and Flag of Heroes
It’s hard to believe that the largest attack on American soil was just 16 years ago early morning September 11, 2001. After 19 terrorist using four hijacked commercial air jetliners as guided missiles imploded the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and flown into the center of our government (the Pentagon in Washington D.C.) killing a sorrowing 2, 977 innocent people. I personally remember walking into my political science classroom in high school and feeling the eerie quietness as I realized my teacher was watching live news in what seemed to be an accident. After the bell sounded for class almost as if the bell itself had been a cue, another plane came crashing in Tower number 2 on live television. Immediate screams echoed the hallways followed by a sombrous quietness that left the school including my classroom immobilized with fear. At first, like most, we all thought the first plane crash in to Tower 1 was a shear accident or mishap of some sort but after plane number 2 came in on the war path we all surely knew this was no accident and that our beloved America was under attack. Just like that, America was suddenly vulnerable and the birth of terrorism on our soil was clear.
Since the attack, we have confronted and dealt with our newfound fear on terrorism. We have deployed the Patriot Act, tightened up homeland security, sanctioned more rigid regulations on TSA and flying, and fought an ongoing war for over a decade against these acts of terror. Are we safer? Yes, safer from orchestrated attacks, the kind that shock our nation on that September morning. It’s now much harder for terrorist to get into the country and if they do even harder for them to pull off something like 9/11. We have done a great job at stopping terrorist before they strike. But what has really converted our fears of safety into strength through this all?
We have faced attack on the homeland, faced conflict in the far corners of the earth, faced devastating and catastrophic natural disasters, and one thing that always remains is our hope and strength as a nation when faced with opposition. The many servicemen and women who courageously put their lives on the line when called upon, the volunteers who provide aid when disaster strikes, our military personnel who valiantly protect us and our borders, and our leaders who position our country’s resilience and success. All of this comes at the expense of those who have sacrificed and put our country before their own interest. It would be a disservice if we didn’t mention all of these admirable people that have helped our country in times of need and challenge. It would be even more of a disservice if we didn’t stop for a moment and give thanks to these people but also to commemorate in remembrance of those who were injured or died during the attacks on September 11th, 2001.
Let us be reminded especially today, how far we have come as a nation since 2001 but also let us never forgot the innocent and brave who died during these atrocious acts. 9/11 will always be remembered as one of the most violent attacks of terror this world has ever seen but equally it will be remembered for all the many people who pulled together to restore hope in a city and a nation. Annin Flagmakers was chosen to be the official flag make for the “Flag of Honor and Flag of Heroes Project”. These flags have been created with the sincerest intentions of honoring the victims. The goal is to immortalize each individual victim, to give comfort to the families left behind by knowing that their loved ones will be forever honored and remembered and to create an enduring symbol, recognized by the world, of the human sacrifice that occurred on that day in 2001. Proceeds from the sale of the flags go to several charities including the Voices of 911 (supporting the families of the victims), the Cantor Fitzgerald fund, the National 911 Museum at Ground Zero Flag of Honor Fund, the USO and the Wounded Warrior Project.
