Flag Was Discovered At Ground Zero

WORLD TRADE CENTER

After the 9-11 attack on New York City, rescue workers, firemen, and law enforcement officers from across the country responded to help. The U.S. Secret Service also sent agents to assist in the search and recovery efforts due to the obvious need for rescue personnel. The entire U.S. Secret Service office in New York City was destroyed in the collapse of Building 7, of the World Trade Center.

 The flag was found on October 4, 2001, during the search and recovery process at Ground Zero. This U.S. flag was found covered in mud and debris by Special Agent Lawrence Lomonaco, of the Secret Service, Orlando Field Office, while he was walking literally through and over debris at Ground Zero.

Special Agent in Charge Gregory Mertz, Tampa Field Office was the team leader and took possession of the flag. The decision was made to bring the flag back to Tampa for restoration and preservation, then frame it for presentation back to New York City

In May the WTC Flag will be taken to Washington D.C. for National Law Enforcement Week, and then to New York City for permanent display.

Event Coordinator Diane Ott says this is a wonderful opportunity for people to visit the Flag before it leaves the Tampa Bay area. “The WTC Flag is very fitting to our 9^th Annual Salute to Vietnam Veterans and Moving Wall Memorial event as on that day in September many Vietnam Veterans again became Heroes,” said Ott

The flag will be on display beginning Saturday, April 13 at noon until Wednesday, April 16^th.