On Friday, September 11th, 2020, Wreaths Across America calls for every American to stand outside and wave a flag for one minute at 8:46 AM, 9:03 AM, 9:37 AM and 10:03 AM to carry on an 18 year tradition and remember those who died.
Following the events of 9/11, three patriotic women were moved to find an old American flag they had stored at home and stand on a hill in Freeport, Maine, waving that flag to honor victims. Elaine Greene, Joann Miller and Carmen Foote became nationally known as “The Freeport Flag Ladies.” They proudly hoisted the Stars and Stripes every Tuesday morning for the following 18 years.
The Ladies decided to retire after September 11, 2019. It was their final day of remembrance. The following Tuesday, September 17, 2019, Wreaths Across America, the non-profit organization best known for placing veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s fallen at Arlington National Cemetery, took the helm and continued the weekly flag waving tradition on land donated by the organization’s founder Morrill Worcester.
Since then Mr. Worcester has donated more land for the Acadia National Cemetery and added a mile stretch of 105 American flags on both sides of the road that lead to the entrance.
“Each Tuesday, we are joined by dozens of members of the local community and curious people stopping to be part of something meaningful,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America, and wife of Morrill Worcester. “Especially over the last six months, this flag waving has taken on new meaning for us all and given a spark of hope and patriotism during this difficult time in our country.”
This Friday, September 11th, 2020, you can carry on this tradition by waving a flag for one minute at 8:46 AM, 9:03 AM, 9:37 AM and 10:03 AM.
- At 8:46 a.m., On Tuesday, September 11th, 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 a.m., five other hijackers flew United Airlines Flight 175 into the southern facade of the South Tower (2 WTC).
- At 9:37 a.m., another five hijackers flew American Airlines flight 77 into the western facade of the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia
- At 10:03 a.m., four hijackers crashed United Airlines Flight 93 into a field in Stonycreek Township near Shanksville, Pennsylvania
Wreaths Across America is asking anyone who participates to take video and pictures of your participation and share them on social media using the hashtag #FlagsAcrosstheCountry and #AmericaStrong and tag the Wreaths Across America Official Facebook page.