9/11 flag raising, community event set

The Maricopa Tracy P. MacPherson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 12043, in conjunction with American Legion Post No. 133, will commemorate Patriot Day with a flag-raising ceremony and community gathering Tuesday.

The 9/11 commemoration will be 8 a.m. to noon.

Congress passed a joint resolution Dec. 18, 2001 giving President George W. Bush the authority to designate Sept. 11 Patriot Day to perpetuate the memory of those lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

VFW spokesman Joe King said the firefighters, police officers, paramedics and military personnel who responded to the incident will be honored during the ceremony.

“They’re all patriots,” he said.

Tuesday marks the 11-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

As with any flag-raising ceremony, fallen American soldiers, as well those who are prisoners of war and missing in action, will also be thought of as the flag is raised, King said.

“It’s very important to remember those who have gone before us and secured our freedom,” he said.

Flag raising also is a way to keep patriotism alive during a time when the country is fraught with divisive politics, he said.

“Regardless of the policies made in Washington, we still have to remember our patriots.”

The flag ceremony will be followed by a community gathering.

“We wanted to have a positive note at the end of the solemn event,” King said. “We’re hoping to make it an annual event.”

King said the veterans’ group hopes to show people how it supports the community as a whole, which is a central tenet of the VFW’s charter.

“We wanted to bring in the community and let them get to know us and get them to meet other community members,” King said.

State Sen. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, Pinal County Supervisor David Snider, Maricopa Mayor Christian Price, Police Chief Steve Stahl and former mayor Anthony Smith will be attending the day’s event.

The Maricopa Police Department and Maricopa Fire Department will be on hand with response vehicles, giving kids – and adults – an opportunity to “ask them about what they do,” King said.

“Firefighters, for example, they do a lot more than just (fight) fires,” King said. “The kids can climb in the (response vehicles) and learn about it.”

The fire department also will discuss treating heat injuries.