By Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON – On the 19th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Wreaths Across America is calling for Central Illinois residents to remember those who died by waving an American flag.
Wreaths Across America, a national non-profit organization, asks residents to stand outside and wave a flag for one minute at 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:37 a.m., and 10:03 a.m.
Wreaths Across America Director of Communication, Amber Caron, said the organization’s goal is to bring a feeling of unity across the nation including Central Illinois.
“Central Illinois is a community filled with Americans, and what happened on 9/11 didn’t just happen in New York; it happened to everybody. It impacted the entire country and everyone who lives here…One of the things that I think comes up a lot when talking about 9/11 is not losing sight of 9/12. And the feeling that as Americans, we collectively held on 9/12, which was a feeling of unity and a feeling of coming together to help each other and help your neighbor. And that’s the feeling we want to remind people of.”
Participants are encouraged to take video and pictures of their participation in the national flag waving and post them on the Wreaths Across America Facebook page with the hashtag #FlagsAcrosstheCountry.
“Our mission is to remember, honor, and teach. Remember the fallen, honor those that serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom. And what better way to do that then taking some time to step outside your home, raise the American flag and maybe share details about 9/11 and about your own experiences and the impact it had on your life.”
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].
