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Flag display in West Dundee honors 9/11 victims

The 2,976 American flags that adorn Randall Oaks Park in West Dundee serve as a tribute to those who were killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

From afar, the sight is humbling and awe-inspiring, as are most of the flag displays organized by True Patriots Care, said Elgin resident Jerry Christopherson, president of the organization.

But this year, he said, in honor of the 15th anniversary of the tragedy that rocked the nation, volunteers put extra time into making sure all the lives lost are personally remembered.

"It was such a terrible tragedy," Christopherson said. "We must never forget it."

Each flag has been carefully tagged with a victim's name, age, biography and a ribbon - yellow for civilians, red for firefighters, blue for police officers and white for members of the flight crews. The flags, placed in neat columns and rows throughout the park at 1180 N. Randall Road, are in alphabetical order by the victims' names.

At the center of the flags is an 80-foot star making up a timeline of Sept. 11 - a feature organizers call the "Milestones of Freedom."

The True Patriots Care nonprofit has been hosting local flag tributes since 2010, Christopherson said, and now puts on dozens of displays each year for various occasions. The group's mission is to honor and support veterans, first responders and members of the armed forces.

This year's 9/11 events began Wednesday evening with an opening ceremony and include information booths and daily programs. The display, which will be illuminated by lights after dusk, is open to the public and free through Sunday. Visitors are encouraged to walk among the Healing Field flag display to reflect, find peace and honor the lives lost, Christopherson said.

The display also offers a learning opportunity for those too young to remember the tragedy, Christopherson said. Classes from local schools are expected to visit the park Friday and fill out work sheets based on the information found throughout the display, he said.

On Sunday, hundreds of motorcyclists, including first responders, are expected to participate in an escorted ride from the Woodstock Harley-Davidson to Randall Oaks Park starting at 3 p.m., Christopherson said.

A closing ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the park, he said.

For more information, to donate or to purchase a flag, visit www.healingfield.org/westdundee16/.

  Michael Dewey of West Dundee attaches ribbons Wednesday to 2,976 American flags posted at Randall Oaks Park on Randall Road in West Dundee Wednesday. "I'm honored to do this," he said. "But it is depressing to read all the names." John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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