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