Flying freedom's flag

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Siuta B. Ika
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
The Freedom Flag, a flag created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to commemorate all of the lives that were risked and lost in the attacks, was raised at both Holloman Middle School and Holloman Elementary School in separate flag raising ceremonies, Sept.10.

Onlookers, which included students and faculty members, watched as members of Team Holloman raised the flag, while Master Sgt. Felicia Hamilton, 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron, said a few words about the Freedom Flag, what it represents and how it honors those who lost their lives during the attacks.

"On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, a tragic event irrevocably altered American history when terrorists struck our nation," said Sergeant Hamilton. "Together, we can transform the aftermath of Sept. 11 into a positive learning experience to remind us all that freedom is a fragile and precious gift as were the lives given to protect and defend others."

The Freedom Flag was created when a restaurant owner in Virginia, Richard Melito, decided to sketch out a symbol that he felt paid tribute to and honored everyone who lost and risked their lives. Twelve months later, he created a non-profit organization called the Freedom Flag Foundation.

The project encourages schools to commemorate the victims, heroes and survivors of the attacks and to reinforce our commitment to "never forget" by raising the Freedom Flag below the American flag every year on Sept. 11 or the closest school day to Sept. 11.

"It's a very moving ceremony that reminds us and brings us back to moments in time in which we recall what sacrifices are being made to keep our country free," said Maria Showalter, principal of both Holloman Middle School and Holloman Elementary School.

The Holloman schools weren't the only schools in the local area that participated in the Freedom Flag ceremonies.

According to Senior Master Sgt. Greg Sanders, 849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, there are ceremonies scheduled to happen at every school in the county. "We had about 100 people volunteer from different units here, so we had a crew assigned to each school," he said.

This was the second year in which the two schools held the ceremonies, and all of the ceremonies wereorganized by Holloman's Top 3 Organization.

The Freedom Flag features two broad red stripes, symbolizing the Twin Towers and the sacrifices of those at the World Trade Center during the attacks, three white stripes in memory of the rescue workers, firefighters, police officers and others who responded to the attacks; and two smaller red stripes to honor the crew and passengers who lost their lives aboard the hijacked aircrafts that day, nine years ago.

For more information on the Freedom Flag and Freedom Flag Foundation, go to
www.freedomflagfoundation.org.