MANY VOICES, ONE FLAG

Across the vast grassy expanse in front of Sandy City Hall flew a blaze of red, white and blue in remembrance of the fallen.  Marking the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks the flags each reverently bore the name of someone that lost their life at the World Trade Center, Pentagon or Shanksville.  The field was a sight to behold as our great nation’s symbol of hope waved majestically across a quarter mile, that was filled with volunteers, patriots and those paying their respects. True to the name of the event, the Utah Healing Field Flag Display brought a sense of healing to more than one hundred thousand visitors.

This monumental display began on Wednesday September 7th with hundreds of local citizens helping post the 3000 flags. For many, the posting of the Stars and Stripes in Sandy has become a yearly tradition and reminder of the light that can rise from darkness.  Some even take their Christmas card pictures at the field as a tribute to the fallen and a symbol of their support for the emergency responders that do such important work.

Memorial ceremonies began on Saturday and finished on Sunday evening, The morning of the first day, crowds gathered early in anticipation of events and needless to say, no one was disappointed.  Over a thousand Harley Davidson bikers, led by a vintage fire engine and police motorcycle escort, paraded through the streets surrounding the Healing Field.  Parking amid a display of emergency vehicles and military equipment, they joined the assembled visitors in honoring the victims and watching the unveiling of a new monument dedicated to emergency responders.  The inspiring program was attended by three of Utah’s Congressional delegation, two general officers and even Miss Utah.  A Life Flight helicopter circled the field in a fitting salute to those lost.  The aircraft dipped in a respectful bow then disappeared out of sight.

Frank Layden, former basketball coach for the Utah Jazz, and long time resident of both Utah and the City of New York spoke to the assembled audience.  He shared stories of his time in the firehouses near Ground Zero and touched the hearts of all who listened, with tales of bravery and sacrifice.  He then introduced former Utah Jazz star Thurl Bailey, who graced the crowd with song as three thousand white balloons were released to the heavens.  One for each lost soul.

Next came the great reveal, and after some brief words from Paul Swenson—the event’s creator and organizer-  and sculptor Stan Watts, the statue was unveiled for all to see.  The sudden appearance of the magnificent “Hope Rising—To Lift A Nation “ monument caused tears to well in many an eye and provided a lasting reminder of what regular Americans can do to lift and inspire others.

On Sunday, ceremonies included the reading of victim names, not forgetting Utah’s fallen soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan.  This ceremony attracted perhaps the largest group of Gold Star Mothers and families ever assembled in the Beehive State.  In keeping with the theme of the monument, Utah’s Fallen Frontline Responders were also included in the reading of names.

There were feelings of sadness as the field of flags was lovingly taken down on Wednesday the 14th, though some local citizens got to start there very own field by purchasing a flag and taking it home.  The grassy expanse looked bare and cold with out the familiar warmth of the Stars and Stripes to brighten it.  Every day thousands of visitors had walked through the ordered rows of flags in the Healing Field as they read the nametags of the victims honored.  Talking with Colonial Flag Foundation staff members, they all had a story to tell: where they were when they heard, who they had lost and who was saved.  Smiles, tears and hugs characterized the emotions shared.

I encourage anyone who has yet to enjoy the experience of walking through these rows of flags to get to a local field and do so.  Having a physical representation of each life that was lost will change you forever.  Bring your children and your children’s children.  If there is not a field near you then start one, the Colonial Flag Foundation can help.  We must always remember the loss that day.  Must honor them.  Must heal.  Let us never forget the day we lost so many… Yet stood together.

The Colonial Flag Foundation team works year round coordinating Healing Field and Field of Honor displays around the country.  Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day and other days chosen to honor a variety of causes fill the calendar each year.  Many occasions inspire local groups to post appropriate displays of the Stars and Stripes.  Even so, one date stands out from the rest, September 11^th.   After all, that is the inspiration and motivation behind it all.  A day so filled with meaning that just the mention of two numbers is all that is needed: Nine Eleven.

Being the tenth anniversary of the 9/11the Attacks, this year’s observance is especially significant.  Twenty-two Healing Field and Field of Honor flag displays will rise in fourteen states from Florida to Maine, from Massachusetts to Montana, from Idaho to Arizona & New Mexico.  Five Fields will be posted in New York State alone with one New York’s Battery Park located just blocks of Ground Zero.  In Sandy, Utah, at the site of the first Healing Field, three thousand U.S. flags will fly on the grassy promenade to the South of City Hall.  Check our website at the link http://www.healingfield.org/sandy-ut-2011/ for details.

Amid our own enthusiasm, the crew at Colonial Flag Foundation shares the palpable excitement reported by local host committees.  Shipments of thousands of flags arriving gather eager volunteers anxious to assemble flags and poles.  When all is ready, they post their flags painting grassy fields with red, white and blue.  Few expect the emotional impact bringing a sense of optimism and healing.  Walking among rows of ordered flags visitors recognize the extent of the loss while finding hope amid the tragedy.  A visit to any one of these massive flag displays reveals that the adjective “healing” describes reality.  The experience indeed brings a feeling of healing.

Americans have a special relationship with their flag.  “Remember the Alamo,” “Remember the Maine,” “Remember Pearl Harbor” are mottoes that recall trials which have united our nation.  Repeatedly in our long national history such trials have galvanized American resolve in the face of adversity.  In all these challenges, the Stars and Stripes symbolizes the sacrifices that have changed history.

So it is with the attacks of September 11^th in 2001.   Watching in disbelief on that clear fall morning, we thought the scene of destruction and devastation would never fade.  Nevertheless, we saw the havoc of that day from a distance.  The twin towers collapsing in smoke and ruble, the burning gash in the walls of the Pentagon and the crater disfiguring the landscape near Shanksville in rural Pennsylvania were seen from afar.  Yet in the close-up, each scene of attack revealed fellow humans, countrymen, family, and friends.  The United States flag admonishes us, “Remember 9/11!”  Yet, how can we focus in on the person?  Three thousand died that day, victims of a band of terrorists; three thousand individuals, each one a separate life.  Each life lost affecting a circle of family, friends and associates.

A decade ago John Michelotti pondered how to focus on the individual.  He envisioned a flag patterned on the Stars and Stripes, but a flag where red and white stripes would be fashioned using the names of 9/11’s victims.  From Michelotti’s vision sprang two flags, “The Flag of Honor” and the “Flag of Heroes.”  At a distance the stripes appeared muted as if seen through the tears of those left behind.    Drawing closer the viewer sees the focus sharpen to reveal names, the names of individual who died that day.  The “Flag of Honor” includes the names of all who perished in the attacks.  The “Flag of Heroes” discloses the names, rank and affiliations of the first responders who, in rushing to save others, sacrificed their own lives.  Below the stripes on each flag appears the flag’s name with a short explanation.  Over the ten years since 2001 “The Flag of Honor” and “The Flag of Heroes” have honored three thousand, not a mass of humanity, but rather as individuals whose lives touched all those around them.   Drawing close to the flags, names can be recognized, read and vocalized.  Individual lives remembered.

Michelotti created the flags:

• To immortalize the individual victims who were killed in the terrorist attacks.
• To give comfort to families left behind knowing that their loved one will be honored and remembered.
• To create an enduring symbol of the human sacrifice that occurred on September 11, 2001.

Now, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the two flags and to remember those honored by the flags, the “10^th Anniversary Editions” are available.  Each flag is identified by a special 10^th Anniversary Logo.  For some a collector’s item, for all a tangible reminder of lives lost.  For everyone the two flags are a reminder so we will never forget attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and flight 93. Most important, however, this is not about attacks on buildings, land and airplanes; the tragedy and sacrifice embodied individuals who will not be forgotten.

Profits from the sales of these two flags have been committed to a list of charities.  The Colonial Flag Foundation which originated and coordinates Healing Field and Field of Honor flag display programs is proud to be listed with the benefited organizations.  We join with the Flag of Honor and Flag of Heroes Project in committing that we will remember the three thousand killed in the terrorist attacks.