Local residents, Dick & Joan Stewart, whose son Richard was killed at the World Trade Center, were instrumental in bringing the 9/11 National flag to Southport for the 4th of July Festival. The flag will be flown to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Sunday morning, then escorted by retired NYFD members and will be honored from overpasses along the route. The extensive cavalcade of vehicles, motorcycles and fire equipment will arrive at the Cape Fear Memorial Park Cemetery on Hwy 211 for a blessing of the flag.
The blessing ceremony will begin at 4:30 on Sunday, July 3, 2011. It is open to the public and attendees should bring folding chairs. Representatives from Interfaith Fellowship will participate as well as local leaders of the Jewish, Islamic and Buddhist communities. The Stewart family believes " The blessing of the flag is a way of demonstrating our commitment to unity... encouraging everyone to remember that whatever their beliefs, we are all, first and foremost Americans"
The 20' x 30' flag will be The Grand Marshall of the Southport Parade, and following the parade, it will be laid in the Fellowship Hall of the Baptist Church. Beginning at 2pm, anyone attending will have the opportunity to be part of this process and take a stitch on the flag. The story of this American Flag tattered in the ruins of 9/11, yet stitched back to life in towns and cities all across America, is a stunning story of hope and unity in the phrase cherished by the Stewarts'. “one nation under God, indivisible..."
Please visit www.National911flag.org and click on the YouTube video to learn how this flag was initially rescued, repaired by Kansas tornado victims and continues to be a testimony to resilience and compassion of our fellow citizens as it makes it way to Southport, NC.
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