Flag of Heroes – Riverhead, Long Island, NY
John,
These pics were sent to me from our friend Karen.
They are from this year 9/11 service. Over 100 folks came out…
We will look into ordering the 10th anniversary flags for our 9/11/2011 service.
Be well,
Bob Kelly
(Full email thread below)
John,
Hello my name is Bob Kelly. I want to thank you for all your efforts and the moving flag you have created. Your flag was given to my family from a friend. I am a retired member of the FDNY, I worked that day. My brother Tom Kelly worked on sept. 11th, as a member of ladder 105 in brooklyn. Tom and the rest of his company never came home that day.As of today,, Tom, Capt. Vinny Brunton, Henry Miller,Frank Palumbo, John Chipura, and Dennis Oberg have not been recovered.In light of all the recent events surrounding the site and the remains, this year was in some ways more difficult than past years.There is a small memorial stone out in Riverhead ny, were I live, that sits in honor of Tom,, some years back the town of Riverhead renamed the street in his honor. Tom owned a home there in Reeves Park. Today Your flag flies on the corner of Sound ave. and Thomas Kelly Memorial drive. The flag waves in honor of all those who were killed that day. I lost a lot of close friends that day, having been on the job over 25 years, not a day goes by when I dont think of them all. Our goal here in Reeves Park, is to establish a small 9/11 memorial park and garden on the parcel of land here.. We are in a fight with the developer over this. We have the support of the town and county,, but we are still fighting.. I could not think of a more fitting place to honor all those lost. And having your flag wave there will help make it a special place.. I have the second flag flying in front of my brother Toms house.. If you have get out to Riverhead Long Island it would be an honor to meet you and thank you.. I hope you are well,, and thank you again.. I will try to send you some of the news reports with some pics of the flag your way.. these are the true memorials… thanks again… always
Bob Kelly
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Dear Bob,
First, please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your brother Tom. Know that my prayers have been with you and all of the families these past 9 years. In today’s world where the term “hero” is used much too loosely, your brother and all of the first responders who died, are heroes in the true sense of the word. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Thank you so much for your letter and kind words about our efforts with the Flag of Honor/Flag of Heroes Project. It is a task that is done from the heart by all of us involved with the project. To date we have distributed over 300,000 flags. They are very well received wherever they are offered. You can see some of the locations on our photo gallery.
We are very pleased to have partnered with Annin Flags, the largest US flag manufacturer, to produce and distribute the new 10th Anniversary Edition flags leading up to 9/11/11. Annin is the most distinguished flag company in America and everyone there is excited to be part of such a noble effort. Together we will surely bring the flags the attention they deserve.
If I can be of any assistance in your effort to create the Memorial Park please don’t hesitate to contact me. Again thank you for your kind words. God Bless.
John Michelotti
Flag of Honor/Flag of Heroes Project