Often I write about a milestone or anniversary for TGQ, but today it’s about a national anniversary. For those who have memory of this date twenty years ago, you know exactly where you were when you heard about it, saw the first images, began to grasp what was happening. It’s hard to believe it’s been twenty years. I remember doubting my buyer who called and told me about it, I just couldn’t believe it. The days that followed were surreal. Working by the airport, planes made their final approach by my window. What was once a common sight was eerily quiet. Feels a long time ago . . .

Since we started TGQ, we have had the honour of meeting veterans and quilting many Quilts of Valor for them. It’s so humbling to play a small part of the thank you a quilter makes to that veteran. Most of the quilts, the quilter knows the veteran. Other times it is a gift for a charity. Below Patricia stands with the Quilt of Valor for the best man from their wedding. She made this for him and presented it to him on their 51st wedding anniversary.

This year, Flags of Valor has placed over 7,000 American flags on Art Hill in Forest Park. These flags were placed to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Many people have been sharing their photos of the display on social media and local news has shown aerial photos of it. Since the display is just a few miles from our shop, today was the day we wanted to go and visit.

The St Louis Art Museum, photo on left, displaying Old Glory. Looking at St Louis Art Museum, photo on right, from the north.

What a powerful sight. I’ve enjoyed all the photos I’ve seen, but to be there in person, really drove home the magnitude of that day and the number of lives impacted since that day as the flags honor each of the nation’s men and women killed in military combat since 9/11, as well as the 412 first responders who died that day.

The organization responsible for this is America’s Heartland Remembers. It was founded in 2011 to honour and remember the heroes and victims of 9/11. It is a nonprofit organization that has now expanded its focus to include honoring the memories of the service members who have been lost in theater since 9/11/2001 in the War on Terror. Each person is represented by a single flag of our great country. By sponsoring the flag of a fallen service man or woman, you help keep their memory alive. Each donation also supports organizations that provide assistance, scholarships, direct funding and resources for our nation’s heroes and those they leave behind. This information is from their website and to learn more about them, go to flagsofvalorstl.com

The flags are up until Monday and I encourage anyone in the St. Louis area to drive to Forest Park to see this display. My photos do not do it justice. When taking the picture looking up towards the art museum, a runner was coming by and he stopped to just take in the sight. I have no idea his age, but he certainly grasped the gravity of this display.

We won’t forget. God Bless America.

A Somber Anniversary