SUN CITY – “I have a very intimate connection with it. I’m an American.”
Whether you were right across the street or on the other side of the continent, all Americans can relate to Neighborhood 29 resident Peg Mulhall’s words about 9/11.
Nearly 3,000 flags will be on display Sunday, September 11 at Fountainview Amphitheater in Sun City. Each flag represents those who perished in the attacks on 9/11. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
“I don’t know anyone personally [who was in the attacks of 9/11],” Mulhall said, “but it’s still very personal because this is my country, my people, and the world changed forever that day.”
Like all Americans, the events of 9/11 will live with Mulhall for the rest of her life. And like many Americans, Mulhall was at work on the morning of September 11, 2001. She said her deepest regret is not going home after learning of the attacks.
“I needed to see it, I needed to hear it, I needed to share it with my fellow Americans,” Mulhall said.
Mulhall, along with five of her friends, formed the Memorial Six and are the key group behind organizing the first 9-11 Flag Memorial in Sun City. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
In the aftermath, Mulhall went to church and prayed for all those who lost their lives, donated money to the Salvation Army (among other 9/11 charities), and, of course, remembered. But she always felt she didn’t do enough, which is why, now ten years later, she is organizing Sun City’s first 9-11 American Flag Memorial to honor 9/11’s ten-year anniversary and, most importantly, to help her fellow residents never forget and to help younger generations, such as her grandchildren, understand the world they live in today.
What: Ceremony to honor the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 and all those died in the terrorist attacks.
When: Prompt start 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: Fountainview Amphitheater (if rain, inside Drendel Ballroom).
To volunteer: Contact Linda Bahwell at 847-515-2925.
To donate: Contact Catherine Portera at 847-669-9021.
The 9-11 American Flag Memorial will start promptly at 8 a.m. Sunday, September 11 at the Fountainview Amphitheater in Sun City, with the color guard by the Sun City Huntley Marines, who will also lead the ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance. Immediately following, the Sun City Sun Tones will sing the Star Spangled Banner and America, after which, WGN broadcaster and Sun City resident Orion Samuelson will recount the events of 9/11. The remainder of the morning will also feature Bagpiper and Drums, remembrance prayers, a Sun City resident’s account of his brother who was a first-responder firefighter that perished on 9/11, and Taps. Mulhall said they are working on more segments for the program, as well.
The most notable feature of the memorial is its namesake. Nearly 3,000 American flags will be on display at the amphitheater throughout the day and evening. Each flag represents a victim of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania.
Mulhall bought the flags with $1,500 of her own money, but she’s received overwhelming sponsorship from a number of Huntley and Huntley-area businesses to help support the additional costs of the memorial.
Mulhall first got the idea for the memorial in July, when she heard about Pepperdine University’s (Malibu, CA) annual 9/11 flag memorial.
“I jumped on it,” Mulhall said. “The gears started moving. I got my friends to help me and Sun City to cooperate, and it’s been an amazing ride so far,” Mulhall said.
Mulhall along with five of her friends make up the key group of organizers who refer to themselves as the Memorial Six. The other members of the Memorial Six are: Catherine Portera, Linda Bahwell, Barbara Soracco, and Mary Neigebauer and her daughter Michelle.
In addition to these women, Mulhall said the volunteer support has been “amazing,” with residents and others stepping forward every day, offering to help.
Mulhall said there are even volunteers who are staying up in shifts all night long to guard the flags, while other volunteers with golf carts are offering rides to the attendees who have to park far from the amphitheater and aren’t able to walk.
“I’m so touched,” Mulhall said. “I think this [the memorial] is going to be cathartic. For my community, for me.”
Mulhall added, “I’m hoping that it [the memorial] refreshes [peoples’] memories of what happened that day. I don’t want people to forget.”
Mulhall said they’re still looking for volunteers to help plant and remove the flags. Those interested in volunteering may contact Linda Bahwell at 847-515-2925. In the event of rain, the 9-11 American Flag Memorial will be held inside Drendel Ballroom.
Nearly 3,000 flags will be on display Sunday, September 11 at Fountainview Amphitheater in Sun City. Each flag represents those who perished in the attacks on 9/11. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
Mulhall, along with five of her friends, formed the Memorial Six and are the key group behind organizing the first 9-11 Flag Memorial in Sun City. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
1 Comment
It is wonderful having a friend like Peg Mulhall. And what an amazing memorial for all those who perished on 9/11. Many people can talk about their feelings about the horror of that day, but here are six women who have taken charge of an event which hopefully will keep us aware and thoughtful of those who died. And what a beautiful program planned at Sun City. Thanks to the Memorial Six.
Nina