Healing through sewing: The National 9/11 Flag

via

I was in New York City on 9/11/2001, commuting to work along with everyone else under the prettiest, bluest, sky that I think I have ever seen. So many memories from that day, and the ones that followed, have come back to me as this major anniversary approached.


Earlier today when I was watching some of the 9/11 coverage on CNN, I caught a segment about a very special project, the National 9/11 Flag. This flag is a 30-foot American flag that was flying across the street from the World Trade Center on 9/11, when it was badly damaged. The flag was taken down later the next month, and it sat in storage, still torn and tattered, for many years after that.


But since 2008, the flag has been undergoing a process of restoration and healing, traveling around the country, receiving patches from retired American flags from all 50 states. 

via

Stitchers who patched the flag have been nominated by people in their local community in recognition of their service and sacrifice. After the final stitches have been placed in the flag, it will go to the National 9/11 Memorial Museum. 


If you'd like to learn more about this incredible project, click here:

As I researched the flag today, I also learned about the amazing New York Says Thank You Foundation, which is the custodian of The National 9/11 Flag. 


As their website says: The mission of The New York Says Thank You Foundation is to send volunteers from New York City each year on the 9/11 Anniversary to help rebuild communities around the country affected by disasters. It is our way of commemorating the extraordinary love and generosity extended to New Yorkers by Americans from all across the United States in the days, weeks, and months following September 11th. 


This documentary trailer will introduce you to this group's extraordinary mission and accomplishments:





I love the way they describe their work:


"The secret to New York Says Thank You’s growing national 'pay it forward' movement is very simple: What we do is not about 9/11. What we do is about 9/12."