An MASL Dogwood Reader's Award Title
Discover the inspiring story of the American flag that flew over
Ground Zero, traveled across all fifty states as it was repaired, and
returned to New York as a restored symbol of unity.
In the days following September 11th, a 30-foot American flag hung torn
and tattered at 90 West Street, across from Ground Zero. A few weeks
later, the flag was taken down by a construction crew and tucked away in
storage, where it stayed for nearly seven years.
The flag was brought out of storage in 2008 when the New York Says Thank
You Foundation headed to Greensburg, Kansas, a town nearly destroyed by
a tornado. NYSTY brought the flag with them, sparking a grassroots
restoration effort that traveled over 120,000 miles across all fifty
states, bringing together thousands of people, and helping America heal
and rebuild . . . hand by hand, thread by thread, one stitch at a time.
This book is the story of that journey, a journey that ended at the
opening of the National September 11 Museum, where the flag remains
today. Along the way, the flag was restored using pieces of retired
flags from every state--including a piece of the flag that Abraham
Lincoln was laid on after he was shot at Ford's Theater and threads from
the original Star-Spangled Banner flag, which flew at Fort McHenry in
the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the national
anthem. The pieces and threads were stitched in by military veterans,
first responders, educators, students, community-service heroes, and
family members of 9/11 victims, among others. At each stop, communities
came together to remember, to heal, and to unite.
