Volunteers prepare flags for tribute
Over the course of one week in July, dozens of dedicated volunteers carefully tagged and prepared 2,977 American flags for the city of Sanibel’s A Field of Heroes. Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, the tribute will feature 2,977 American flags — one for each life lost — on display through Sept. 11 at the Sanibel Community Park. The city reported that the community members gave their time, care and hearts to the meaningful project. Mayor Mike Miller and his wife, Mary, took part, along with a volunteer who traveled from Naples and a U.S. Navy veteran who was stationed in New Jersey at the time of the attacks. For one volunteer, the experience became deeply personal when he unexpectedly prepared the flag honoring a friend who perished in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The city extended its thanks to everyone who volunteered, adding that their dedication transformed thousands of individual flags into a powerful community act of remembrance.