American Flags to Be Planted on Village Green for Sept. 11 Remembrance

The following was submitted by Jessica Tucker:

In 2008, as a school service project, a Winnetka student sought permission from the Village Council to plant American flags at the base of the Cenotaph on the Village Green in remembrance of the 2,977 lives lost in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States. The project became an annual student-lead, community-wide event to commemorate September 11th, now known as “Patriot Day.”

Many of the participating students were too young to remember that fateful day when terrorists hijacked four airliners. The hijackers crashed two planes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The fourth plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on its way to flying into another symbolic American building or monument, when brave passengers attempted to wrestle back control of the plane.

In the wake of the World Trade Center collisions, first responders rushing into the burning buildings to rescue victims perished as the towers collapsed. In all, 411 New York City fire fighters, New York City police officers and Port Authority police officers died attempting to evacuate victims. It was the deadliest day in history for New York City fire fighters who lost 343 men and women. Altogether, almost 10,000 people were treated for injuries, many severe. Then-President George W. Bush declared, “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.”

Patriot Day is recognized by United States law as an official day of remembrance. The American flag is flown at half-mast as a mark of respect to those who died. A moment of silence is observed at 8:46a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) which marks the time that the first plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Many travel to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, the Pentagon Memorial in Washington, D.C., or the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania.

There is another heroic day, forged from American resolve, called “Patriot’s Day.” It is observed annually on the 3rd Monday in April and is a state holiday in Massachusetts and Maine. Patriot’s Day commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord, fought near Boston in 1775. These first battles by American colonists against their British rulers marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War (or American War of Independence) which became a crucial step toward independence as a new country and nation. Patriot’s Day became symbolic for emerging American independence and freedom.

As our community gathers once again to plant flags in memory of the victims of 9/11, like those who remember April 19, 1775, we salute the bravery and honor of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Patriot Day, like Patriot’s Day, is a day to remember, to honor, and to cherish those we’ve lost and the enduring principles they stood for: one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

-Please join the students in erecting this beautiful, solemn memorial on the Winnetka Village Green, beginning at 4:00p.m. on September 10th. The flags remain standing until sundown on September 11th.