The islands community is invited to take part in a powerful and patriotic initiative for Sept. 11.<\/p>\n
The city of Sanibel recently launched A Field of Heroes, a communitywide tribute to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9\/11 in the fall. The remembrance initiative will entail a large-scale memorial installation intended to honor the lives lost and heroes forever changed by the events on Sept. 11, 2001.<\/p>\n
Recreation Department Marketing & Events Coordinator Denise Dillon explained that as she watched last year\u2019s ceremonies, she questioned what the islands could do to mark the milestone anniversary.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew that we had to do something a little more significant to remember the 2,977 lives lost,\u201d she said of New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. \u201cTo come together in a meaningful way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thousands of American flags will be displayed at Sanibel Community Park \u2014 a sea of red, white and blue \u2014 to honor the lives lost, celebrate heroism, and unite the community in remembrance and reflection.<\/p>\n
Community members have the opportunity to sponsor a flag or multiple ones. Each sponsored flag will recognize a first responder, military member, loved one or hero connected to the attacks on Sept. 11.<\/p>\n
Dillon reported that the installation will be comprised of 2,977 flags.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne for each life that was lost on 9\/11,\u201d she said. \u201cEach flag will have a tag with one name.\u201d<\/p>\n
The flags will be installed in alphabetical order.<\/p>\n
They will go up at the end of August or early September, then be taken down near September\u2019s end.<\/p>\n
The A Field of Heroes memorial will be open to the public at no cost.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the community to come and visit, and reflect,\u201d Dillon said. \u201cIt will be ADA accessible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sponsorship costs are $10 for one flag, $45 for five flags and $100 for 12 flags.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou could sponsor one flag. You could sponsor 100 flags,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Dillon reported that they have had inquires about larger sponsorships.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny increment can be arranged,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
As of June 18, about 15% of the total 2,977 flags had been sponsored.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we have a long way to go in just two months,\u201d Dillon said.<\/p>\n
The city is also asking local businesses, organizations, places of worship and community gathering spaces to help spread awareness of the remembrance initiative by displaying posters and flyers.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo that visitors and residents alike can see it and join up,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Dillon added that businesses are encouraged to challenge one another on sponsorships, to challenge their neighbor, as well as business owners could match what their employees do in sponsorships.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re also going to be sending out information on volunteer opportunities,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
They will help tag the flags and then install and uninstall them.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause it will take a village to install all 2,977 flags,\u201d Dillon said.<\/p>\n
On Sept. 11, the city will host a Waves of Remembrance: 9\/11 Morning of Reflection at 8:15 a.m. at The Community House on Sanibel. A chance for the islands to come together, the program will include ceremonial elements, remarks, moments of silence, patriotic tributes and opportunities for reflection.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to have different dignitaries from the island speaking in regards to the events of 9\/11,\u201d she said, noting that they will simulcast the ceremony in New York City on the screen to watch.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to tell personal stories of people who were lost that day,\u201d Dillon added. \u201cAt the end, we\u2019ll invite anyone who wants to to come up and speak to their recollections and memories of that day.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city will also make a larger announcement at the ceremony.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery sponsorship does more than honor a life lost on 9\/11. It also helps lay the foundation for an incredible remembrance initiative planned for 2027,\u201d she said. \u201cWhile we\u2019re not quite ready to unveil the details, we can say it will be something truly special for Sanibel.\u201d<\/p>\n
The community is encouraged to take part.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very important to carry on the legacy of the people\u2019s lives who were lost that day on America\u2019s greatest tragedy on our soil,\u201d Dillon said, noting that she is from New York and lost many friends. \u201cThese aren\u2019t names without faces; they\u2019re moms, they\u2019re wives, they\u2019re brothers, they\u2019re coworkers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether you were directly impacted or not, as Americans we are all united in honoring and remembering the heroes that were lost that day,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
To purchase flag sponsorships, visit https:\/\/app.seemylegacy.com\/community\/2787\/campaign\/9060<\/a> or stop by the Sanibel Recreation Center, at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel \u2014 credit cards only.<\/p>\n To download and print the poster for display, visit https:\/\/files.constantcontact.com\/97af97e6001\/aeb11815-6ff4-4ac9-bf7b-1fbb67576088.pdf<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information, call the center at 239-472-0345.<\/p>\n