Oklahomans Fly 'Old Glory' To Commemorate 9/11

Craig Day, News On 6

OOLOGAH, Oklahoma -- Along Highway 169 through Oologah, you'll see Old Glory waving in the gentle breeze.

Look down main street, you'll find more flags flying.

The red, white and blue was proudly on display as the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack approached.

"Just remind people that this is a wonderful country and this is a wonderful town," said Jerry Holland, Oologah's mayor.

Like many Oklahoma towns, Oologah always flies the flag on holidays like the 4th of July and Memorial Day.

After this Labor Day, they left the flags up in honor of the ten year anniversary of 9/11.

A decade later, Oklahomans haven't forgotten the horror, the shock, but also the national unity that came after the attacks.

The flags are a reminder.

"They'll remember that what we're in this for, all of us are united. This is a great country and we need to keep it great," Holland said.

Another tribute took place at Cascia Hall in Tulsa.

Students put up 2,977 flags on the lawn of the school.  Each flag represents someone lost on 9/11.

"It's like remembering everyone who lost their lives, like the innocent people, and how much like we have to like live our life for today and not tomorrow," said Wythe Dodson, a Cascia Hall student.

There will be many observances of that solemn day that hurt the collective heart of our nation, but, sometimes, the simplest of tributes, like proudly flying the flag, are the most powerful.