| The Spirit of America | | | | phone, have a snack, talk to friends or sleep stretched |
| Flags still flying | | | | out on the floor. Each soldier whose picture is taken is |
| Spirited 9-11 Tribute | | | | given a small gift with a website link on it. The families |
| A gathering of Patriots | | | | can go to the site and download this last picture of |
| 7 years & still Standing | | | | them still on American soil. It is a relief to the families to |
| With Great Love & Deep Gratitude | | | | see their loved one with a smile and relaxed among |
| The State of Maine has long been known for a high | | | | their buddies. |
| degree of patriotism. Turnouts to honor patriots from | | | | The Flag Ladies can often be seen struggling up the hill |
| Civil War hero Joshua Chamberlain to modern day | | | | pushing a dolly loaded with packages headed to Iraq |
| heroes always draw substantial turnouts. 9-11 | | | | and Afghanistan. On a recent trip to the Post Office |
| remembrances are no exception. From State House in | | | | they were mired in a pot hole and a passing motorist |
| Augusta where the Governor, State senators and | | | | was kind enough to help them on their way. They are |
| representatives gather on the steps of the Capital to | | | | filled with tasty treats, games, magazines, and toys ? |
| observances held by veteran?s groups around the | | | | anything that might bring a smile to the face of a |
| State Mainers step forward. One of the outstanding | | | | soldier. Other packages head to field hospitals with |
| observances is to be found in Freeport where the | | | | shorts and flip-flops for wounded soldiers that are |
| American spirit will soar. | | | | ambulatory, and neck pillows to provide a little comfort |
| The Freeport Flag Ladies, who have been holding | | | | for soldiers being transported to Germany and then |
| American flags on Main Street in Freeport every | | | | home to the United States. At the request of the |
| Tuesday morning since 9-11-2001, will be joined by | | | | soldiers many packages are shipped to Afghanistan |
| people from around the State and visitors from across | | | | filled with hats, mittens, shoes and coats to help the |
| the Country. They will gather to honor those who | | | | children survive the bitter Afghan winters. Our soldiers |
| perished on 9-11, the men and women who are serving | | | | have built many new schools for the Afghan children |
| our Country in the military, and police, fire and rescue | | | | but wrote to say that many of the children have no |
| workers | | | | school supplies and that a pencil is considered a |
| School children, veterans, soldier?s families and patriotic | | | | treasure so still more packages go out heavily laden |
| citizens will line the street with flags waving. Amidst | | | | with pencils, pens, crayons, erasers, pencil sharpeners |
| early morning traffic will be an open parade. Cheers | | | | and paper. The gratitude of the children has saved |
| and applause will resound as brightly decorated | | | | many a soldier?s life as they often know where an |
| vehicles, Patriot Guard, and Rolling Thunder and other | | | | IED is buried or an ambush set up. |
| motorcyclists with flags flying roll through. Fire, police | | | | The American Legion, VFW and Am-Vets cannot be |
| and rescue trucks will join the parade being cheered | | | | outdone in community support. They raise money to |
| by the onlookers and antique cars will add to the | | | | support scholarships, Special Olympics, children?s |
| colorful mix. | | | | camps and countless worthy causes. |
| At 8:45 traffic will stop and silence will descend as | | | | The veterans are held in high esteem. The Flag Ladies |
| heads are bowed in remembrance of the lives lost in | | | | will come to any of their events to help or show |
| the Towers, the Pentagon and the fields of | | | | support. When the annual reunion of the Shipmates of |
| Pennsylvania. | | | | the USS Boston was held in Portland they were invited |
| This will be the 7th Anniversary of the 9-11 Tribute held | | | | to address the gathering. Many of the veterans were |
| by the Flag Ladies. Many of those in attendance have | | | | from the Vietnam war and had never been properly |
| come every year since the 1st Tribute was held in | | | | thanked and welcomed home. There were tears in |
| 2002. | | | | many eyes as Elaine Greene welcomed them home |
| In addition to holding the flags each Tuesday morning | | | | and the Flag Ladies presented each of them with the |
| through snow, sleet, wind and rain they travel to | | | | card that is given to each of the soldiers that they |
| Bangor International Airport, which is a two hour drive | | | | meet who are deploying today. They speak to various |
| from Freeport, to join with the Maine Troop Greeters | | | | veteran's groups and help them with fund raising. In |
| meeting flights heading to Iraq and Afghanistan. The | | | | return they have received the Americanism Award |
| Troop Greeters have been meeting flights in Bangor | | | | from the Maine American Legion and were nominated |
| since Desert Storm. | | | | for the prestigious Silver Helmet Award by the |
| Sporting their signature flag shirts the Flag Ladies wait | | | | Am-Vets. Many of the veterans from posts not doing |
| with smiles and handshakes as the soldiers enter the | | | | a 9-11 remembrance will again travel long distances to |
| terminal. | | | | come stand with the Freeport Flag Ladies on this 7th |
| In the next hour and a half they take over 300 pictures | | | | anniversary. |
| of the soldiers as they talk to their families on a cell | | | | |