9-11 Memorial Flag Coming to Portsmouth

The 9-11 Memorial Flag will be hosted by the Portsmouth Fire Department later this month in what will be its only stop in New Hampshire.

Portsmouth Firefighter Russ Osgood, who serves as vice president of the department's charitable foundation, said the flag that was salvaged from Ground Zero after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City's World Trade Center, will be at Fire Station 2 on August 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"It's the only New Hampshire stop," he said. "It's quite an honor."

Osgood noted the honor is especially significant given the fact that the nation will mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks this year.

Osgood said the Portsmouth Fire Department has created a patch that will be sewn into the 9-11 Memorial flag. He said the patch consists of red, white and blue pieces taken from three retired U.S. flags that few over Portsmouth's three fire stations.

He said special thanks goes to York Beach, Maine, Fire Capt. Mark Day who brought the memorial flag to that community in March and recommended Portsmouth as the New Hampshire stop when asked by members of the flag's group.

According to the New York Says Thank You Foundation, the 9-11 Memorial flag has been making a 50-state tour where wounded warriors, military veterans, first responders, educators, students, community service heroes, and 9/11 family members are given the once-in-a-lifetime privilege of restoring the National 9/11 Flag back to its original format by stitching in fabric from American flags destined for retirement in all 50 states.

"When complete, 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," according to the group.

Through August 16, the foundation is accepting nominations of New Hampshire people who have been strong community advocates or who have a strong connection to September 11. Osgood said those people will be given the opportunity to sewn the Portsmouth Fire Department patch into the memorial flag for an hour before members of the public will also have that opportunity. Osgood said he has already nominated one person.

Osgood said the Portsmouth Fire Department is very proud to host the 9-11 Memorial flag because the department feels a deep connection with the 343 New York City firefighters who lost their lives as they tried to rescue people in the World Trade Center towers before they collapsed.

He also noted that 11 of the terrorist attacks victims were from the Seacoast, including American Airlines Flight 11 pilot Tom McGuiness of Portsmouth.

"It needed to come to New Hampshire and we're very pleased to be the host," Osgood said.