SLATE HILL – Volunteers in the hamlet of Slate Hill placed more than 150 American flags along several of the area roadways in remembrance of those lost in the September 11th terrorist attacks. Mike Carroll, a local resident who coordinated the effort, said it was a community project with the goal of remembering the thousands who lost their lives that day.
“We didn’t do this for the recognition,” said Carroll. “We did this because it’s important people stop and remember those who we lost that day.”
September 11th hits close to home for the Carroll family. A cousin from New Jersey was one of the thousands of people who were able to escape the World Trade Center before it collapsed.
Carroll has been planning the flag display for months. In preparation of lining miles of roadway with flags, he reached out to each of his neighbors, some by phone and others by postcard, to seek permission to place flags on their property.
Shaun and Tara Graham, along with Corey O’Gorman of the Slate Hill Fire Department assisted Carroll with the assembly of the flags. Volunteer Cameron Marker of Mount Hope helped Carroll place the flags along the roadside. Marker, 24, was a young child at the time of the attacks but feels passionately about remembering the tragic events of that day.
“It was truly an honor to be a part of this patriotic display in honor of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001,” said Marker. “I think it’s important that Americans never forget.”
Carroll began placing flags along his street this past 4th of July. He said that the feedback was overwhelmingly positive with more and more of his neighbors expressing interest in participating. Steve Otte-Hunter of Maple Farm, who owns a large track of land in the area, welcomed the flags to his yard and farmland. Carroll said he never imagined that his effort would grow so quickly.
Carroll plans to display the flags again for Veterans Day, and is seeking volunteers to…
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