Today Americans from across the country joined the national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) organization in waving American flags in remembrance of the 20th anniversary of September 11th. The event, which included Gold Star families whose loved ones answered the call to serve after 9/11, veterans, and first responders and their families, was hosted live on its Facebook page and broadcast over Wreaths Across America Radio.
WAA gathers every Tuesday morning from 9:00–10:00 am ET to raise the American flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance from the Freeport Flag Ladies Monument in Jonesboro, Maine, near the “tip lands” where the balsam is harvested to make veterans’ wreaths for placement on National Wreaths Across America Day each December. The monument, located on Route 1, was built by Wreaths Across America and Worcester Wreath Company in September 2019, after the Freeport Flag Ladies retired following 18 years of waving the American Flag in Freeport, Maine, each Tuesday since Sept. 11, 2001.
“Now, more than ever, it is so critical for communities to come together to Remember all those who served, and Honor their service and their family’s service, especially those who volunteered during the War on Terror following the events of September 11, 2001,” said WAA Executive Director Karen Worcester. “But more than anything, we must Teach our children about these men and women, and the courage and commitment it takes to be a part of the small number of Americans who protect all our freedoms.”
The flag-waving event began at 8:45 am EDT and ran through 10:05 am EDT. In addition to the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, and sharing of stories, the event included four moments of silence that coincided with the tragic events of that day:
- At 8:46 am, on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, five hijackers took control of American Airlines Flight 11 and flew it into the heart of New York City and the northern facade of the World Trade Center’s North Tower (1 WTC).
- At 9:03 am, five other hijackers flew United Airlines Flight 175 into the southern facade of the South Tower (2 WTC).
- At 9:37 am, another five hijackers flew American Airlines flight 77 into the western facade of the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia.
- At 10:03 am, four hijackers crashed United Airlines Flight 93 into a field in Stonycreek Township near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Wreaths Across America is the nonprofit organization best known for placing veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s fallen at Arlington National Cemetery. However, the organization in total places more than 2 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths at over 2,750 participating locations nationwide and offers year-round programs in support of its mission to Remember, Honor, Teach. These programs include The Mobile Education Exhibit that will be visiting New Jersey, Maine, Delaware, and Maryland in September and Wreaths Across America Radio. Host Michael Hale will conduct live interviews and on-air tributes on Saturday, September 11, 2021, during a special edition broadcast of his morning show from 8:00–10:00 am EDT.
This year, National Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at more than 2,750 participating locations across the country. To sponsor a $15 wreath for an American hero, or to learn more about how to volunteer, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.