Local Service Heroes Honored by 9/11 Flag

, also called The Spirit of America, was proudly displayed July 11 at the at the . Local service heroes had the opportunity to participate in an historic task — stitching the flag back to its original 13-stripe format.

The 30-foot flag is worn and discolored, its once-proud stars and stripes a shadow of their former glory, the fabric riddled with holes, patches and mended spots. However, this particular Old Glory still brought tears to the eyes of many attendees at the ceremony as the large crowd in the Berman Theatre reverently placed hands over hearts and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The National 9/11 Flag was the largest flag to fly over ground zero after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, according to organizers from the New York Says Thank You Foundation. Organizers said the flag flew from the side of a nearly demolished building at 90 West St. in New York City, directly across from ground zero.

"I talked with war veterans and people who have devoted their lives to various types of service who have said that stitching the National 9/11 Flag was the most important thing they've ever done in their lives," said Jeff Parness, founder and chairman of the New York Says Thank You Foundation.

"That's incredible when you think about it," he said. "The National 9/11 Flag reminds us that as Americans, we are all connected — we're all in this together."

The flag is scheduled to be completed by the 10th anniversary of 9/11 this September, at which time it will grace the walls of the National September 11 Museum in New York City.