Press Releases

The National 9/11 Flag Travels to the
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

Historic Stitching Ceremony to Repair American Flag Destroyed In the Aftermath of 9/11 Will Include FDNY Firefighters and Local Volunteers

NEW YORK, NY, AND OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, March 23, 2011 – The New York Says Thank You Foundation today announced it will take The National 9/11 Flag to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum where on April 19 FDNY firefighters will assist local service heroes in an historic ceremony to sew the Oklahoma restorative patch onto the flag as part of a ceremony marking the 16th anniversary of the bombing that destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and took 168 lives on April 19, 1995.

“The addition of this patch will mirror the unity of our cities—and nation—following the tragic events that occurred in both New York and Oklahoma,” said Kari Watkins, executive director, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. “The National 9/11 Flag is a testament to the resilience of the American people, and living proof that good can eventually emerge from the pain inflicted by acts of incomprehensible violence.”

This year marked the 10th birthday of the Museum, as well as a decade of educating visitors about the impact of violence. Continuing this mission, the Memorial & Museum will honor the Bush Family on April 20 with the annual Reflections of Hope Award, which recognizes those whose conduct exemplifies that hope can survive and blossom despite tragedy. Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Bush Hager will accept the award on behalf of the family.

The National 9/11 Flag will be at the Memorial & Museum at 620 N. Harvey Avenue on the 16th anniversary of the bombing, April 19, at 11:00 am followed by a stitching ceremony open to the public until 3:00 pm.

"We're honored to bring The National 9/11 Flag to the Oklahoma City Memorial as part of the continuing healing process of those who lost loved ones and colleagues 16 years ago and as part of the ongoing restoration of this national treasure,” said Jeff Parness, Founder and Chairman of the New York Says Thank You Foundation.

The visit is part of a larger journey sponsored by The New York Says Thank You Foundation, taking The National 9/11 Flag across America where local service heroes in all 50 states are given the historic privilege of stitching the flag back to its original 13-stripe format using pieces of fabric from American flags destined for retirement in each state.

Destroyed in the aftermath of the collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and stitched back together seven years later by tornado survivors in Greensburg, Kansas, The National 9/11 Flag is the modern day version of The Star Spangled Banner.

Once the flag is restored and made whole again by the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, The National 9/11 Flag will become a part of the permanent collection of the National September 11 Memorial Museum being built at the World Trade Center.

You can nominate a local service hero for the honor of stitching The National 9/11 Flag
The New York Says Thank You Foundation is asking local civic organizations and the public to attend the ceremony and to nominate local service heroes from Oklahoma who deserve the honor of stitching The National 9/11 Flag at 11:00 am, followed by a stitching ceremony open to the public until 3:00 pm. Nominees can be people of all ages who are shining examples of service and sacrifice to their local communities and to the Nation and may be a wounded warrior, military veteran, first responder, educator, student, or volunteer service leader.

Nominations must be received by April 8 and must be submitted online at www.National911Flag.org by clicking on “Nominate a Service Hero.” In addition, the public is invited to visit the website and volunteer to “Sponsor A Stitch” for $5 to help underwrite the restoration of this national treasure. No donation is required to participate in the stitching ceremony.

The New York Says Thank You Foundation
The mission of The New York Says Thank You Foundation is to commemorate the generosity extended to New Yorkers by Americans from all across the country in the days, weeks, and months following September 11, by sending volunteers from New York City each year on the 9/11 Anniversary to help rebuild communities around the United States affected by disasters. The New York Says Thank You Foundation is proud to be the national custodian for The National 9/11 Flag. For more info, see www.National911Flag.org

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum educates visitors about the impact of violence and terrorism, teaches the lessons learned from the Oklahoma City bombing and inspires hope and healing from those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever in the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. For more information on the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, call 1.888.542.HOPE or visit OklahomaCityNationalMemorial.org.

Media Contacts

Jeff Parness
Founder & Chairman
New York Says Thank You Foundation
917.806.8061
Jeff@NewYorkSaysThankYou.org

Carolyn Deters
Events Manager
National 9/11 Flag Restoration Tour
402.680.4754
Carolyn@NewYorkSaysThankYou.org

Gia Storms
Edelman
212.642.7737
gia.storms@edelman.com

Ann Clark
Edelman
212.704.8296 or 646.263.7552
ann.clark@edelman.com

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