Local Group Keeping Flag Moving To Remember 9/11
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Today's Sept. 11 remembrances weren't all about big ceremonies in Washington, D.C., New York or rural Pennsylvania.
Some of them were grassroots efforts in neighborhoods all across the country, including one local group that is keeping the flag alive all day long.
They started long before it was light.
"I asked for volunteers that extended beyond Team Red, White and Blue, and volunteers came flying out of the woodwork -- even into the late hours of last night saying, 'Put me on the list. I want to carry the flag today,'" Kate Bielak said.
Team Red, White and Blue organized a moving flag tribute for Sept. 11. One of those volunteers was Christa Beck, who took her morning run in the rain toting the flag.
"I really think about raising my children in a different generation, and I really want peace and would hope that when they are adults that nothing like this would ever happen again," Beck said.
Jim Nemec had two flags in hand as walked the streets in a camo hat and an Army shirt. At one point, he stopped to thank a local cop.
"The police officer is the tip of the sword in the war against terrorism. They are in our communities and they know what's right and what's not right in our communities and we need to pay tribute to them because they keep us safe on a daily basis," Nemec said.
We know the flag stands for so much more and it seems particularly vibrant today.
"Not only the souls that were lost, the families that were left behind but also our first responders, our police, our fire, our medical, and obviously our military, our past, present and future and the military that are still fighting today," Bielak said.
At least one flag will be in motion all day from 5:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.
"All walks of life are coming and it's not too late to come out and join us. We have a lot of the smaller flags and would love you to come out and run, walk, ruck-march, you tell us whatever you want to do. We want to keep that flag moving," Bielak said.
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