|
| 2021 Display on Art Hill, St. Louis Missouri |
St. Louis Missouri has a wonderfully moving display on Art Hill that
commemorates those who died on 9/11 and those who have died in the war on
terror in the 20 years since 2001.
This display first was put up on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and then
again on the 15th anniversary and now on the 20th anniversary. I have
been privileged to view the display each of these times and find it to be a
very emotional experience. Here is a photo I took this
year.
History of Flags of Valor
Here is a quote from the website on the history of Flags of Valor.
The first display of Flags of Valor in St. Louis was for the 10th
anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. In that display 2977 flags were
placed on Art Hill. These flags represented the individuals who lost
their lives in the twin towers attack, the Pentagon attack, and on Flight
93, and the first responders who gave their lives to save others.
2016 Display
On the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks the display on Art Hill
honored those 6869 service members who lost their lives in the following
operations: Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Iraqi Freedom, Inherent Resolve,
and Freedom's Sentinel.
2021 Display
In 2021the Flags of Valor organization has refined their purpose beyond
remembering to educating. With a new generation that wasn't even
born when 9/11 occured it is important to educate on what has happened and
what we must always remember. This years display is three
fold.
1. Remembering the Victims of the 9/11 Attacks
To remember the 9/11 victims, there are 6 oversized informational boards. Three are on each side of the Grand Basin. These boards visualize 2,564 victims of the 9/11 attacks.
There is also a flag with the names of all of the victims.
2. Remember the First Responders who Died
There are 413 flags above the Grand Basin to remember the first responders
who made the ultimate sacrifice.
3. Remembering Service Members Who Died during the War on terror since 9/11/2001
There are more than 7000 3' by 5' American Flags on the hill below the St.
Louis Art Museum. Each flag represents of service member who has died
since 9/11/2001 in the War on Terror. Each flag is marked with an
informational dog tag and a photo of the service member.
Information for this article was gathered from the Flags of Valor website at Flags of Valor STL All photos were taken by Mary Beth Granger.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
FOLLOW US ON:
What a magnificent, emotional and touching memorial. A lot of work has clearly gone into making it about the individuals and not just counting numbers. Your photos alone evoke an emotional response. I have no doubt it is quite gripping to visit in person.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this memorial with us. Unfortunately, I will probably never see it in person although I would love too. I am so appreciative of those people who make this sort of thing happen. And glad that the victims, first responders, and military are not forgotten.
ReplyDeleteAs Dawn Rae said, we greatly respect those who work so hard to honor those we lost and will never forget. Your wonderful photos, Mary Beth, help me have a visual memory of these St. Louis 'Flags of Valor'. Very special and spectacular.
ReplyDeleteMary Beth, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful photos of this touching, emotional and important tribute to the victims who died in the 9/11 attacks, the first responders who died as a result of those horrific attacks, and the members of the Armed Services who have perished in the war on terror since that fateful day 20 years ago.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fitting tribute to our heroes. We are now tasked with teaching generations to come that we shall never forget. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteA loving tribute indeed. That day will forever be etched in our minds. I indirectly know people who lost their lives in 9/11 - relatives of people at my kids school. I'm sure one way or other many of us are connected. My youngest was a 1 year old at the time - now he's 21 - yes we do have to keep teaching the generations that come along.
ReplyDeleteWhat a very touching and poignant memorial and a lovely tribute. I love how much thought and effort has been taken to emphasise the individual people. I imagine seeing it in person is a very emotional experience and your review and photographs are very touching. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWow Mary Beth that is such an important lesson for all of us to remember (or for those too young to learn about). Truly 9/11 is a day that is marked in my memory and will never be erased. This is a lovely tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I am in awe!
ReplyDeleteThat is a magnificent and moving display of flags. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete