Our communities mark and remember September 11, 2001 in so many different ways. On September 15, 2001, just a few days after our hearts and sense of security were shattered, our family hiked up Mt. Aziscohos, a small mountain in Maine, and we were touched to see a group of young people up there with a flag singing America the Beautiful and God, Bless America.
One of the on-going tributes here in northern New England is a project called Flags on the 48. It began with a small group of hikers who felt that they should put a flag up on Mt. Liberty on Franconia Ridge that first Saturday after the tragedy. By the next year, the idea had caught on and groups of volunteers raised a flag on each of the 48 mountains above 4000 feet in New Hampshire's White Mountains.
A look at the list of groups who have signed up for the peaks this year show several scout troops, school groups and groups of individuals--probably each with their own story on why.
The designated Saturday for 2008 is this coming Saturday, September 13, 2008. There are a few peaks that are accessible to non-hikers--Mt. Washington can be accessed by the auto road or the cog railroad and Wildcat and Cannon have trams to take you to the top. From each of those peaks you should be able to see the flags on several other peaks. I'll be working at Lonesome Lake hut over the weekend and hope to be able to hike up Cannon Mountain during the time that the flags are raised.
What are some of the ways that your community remembers?
6 comments:
That gives me goosebumps Beth.
I think the push this year is to get as many flags flying as possible on September 11th. I have mine ready. Pappy
I would like to see this tribute, may we never forget those lost that day. Also may we always remain vigilant and ready to respond.
"we were touched to see a group of young people up there with a flag singing America the Beautiful" my goodness, that must have been something to witness.
I find comfort and peace around mountains so that seems really appropriate, to try to heal by meeting others there too.
"From each of those peaks you should be able to see the flags on several other peaks." I bet that's the best part- seeing all those tiny flags from afar.
Sounds like a great tribute. Reading your post brought back such a vivid memory - on Sept 11, I left work early (I wasn't getting anything done except news surfing anyway) and took the dogs hiking in the nearby National Forest. It was such a reflective hike for me, wondering how life was going to change in the coming days. I remember just savoring that hike, thinking if I had just one thing I could do before my world changed, I could do worse than enjoying a good hike in the mountains with my dogs.
What a touching idea Beth! How nice of you to participate! I wish you good weather, a tender heart, and a box of tissues to wipe your moist eyes with!
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