Sunday, September, 9th, the Red Knights, Palm Coast Chapt 11 sponsored a "911 Memorial Ride" for All Fallen Hero's. Steve and I arrived about 930 and there was a good turn out already. Everything was very well organized and water was available to us as it was already very warm at 9:30.
I had never even heard of Hero's Park before let alone been there and was very impressed with it. The design had been very well thought out,
each stone dedicated to
Firefighters,
Law Enforcement,
& Military
were thoughtfully placed across from the final stone dedicated...
to each person who died 6 years ago today.
In the middle of this circle of stones, 3 flag poles, two outer poles flying the POW/MIA flag at half mast, our State Flag at half mast and the center pole reserved for the American Flag to be raised during a "Presentation of Colors" ceremony of at 10AM.
Something I couldn't wait to see that I knew would be there, the Harley Davidson Firefighter Special Edition Motorcycles. I just learned of the bikes this year here on Active Rain and couldn't wait to see them in person. (There is also a Police Special Edition too). I wasn't disappointed either!
People from all walks of life were in attendance from bikers in their best jeans to men in patriotic ties.
To begin the ceremony, The Ancient City Pipes & Drums marched up to the park playing incredibly beautiful bagpipe music with quiet drums for a beat in the background.
The Palm Coast Fire Department along with some members of the Red Knights and a New York City Firefighter did the Presentation of Colors, I've never seen our flag presented in such a way before. It really was such a beautiful thing. Two Firefighters were carrying the shiniest silver axes and one firefighter in the middle had a red axe and a 2nd flag, and in a few minutes I would see the meaning of that special axe & flag.
The flag was brought to full mast, the down to half mast. No sooner then they tied it off at half mast did it spread its glory for all of us to see.
Next the 2nd flag was unfolded and placed on top of the 9/11 Memorial with the red axe on top of it by the New York Firefighter, Joe Vece, President of the Palm Coast Chapt. 11 Red Knights .....
The flag was the "Flag Of Hero's" with every firefighters name who died on 9/11.
We were treated to more music from the The Ancient City Pipes & Drums.
Next, we were led in prayer by a local pastor, followed by a young lady singing my favorite song by Lee Greenwood, "Proud To Be An American". We then had a speaker who was retired Army/Viet Nam Vet who shared his memories of that day 6 years ago. Our last speaker was a Chief Master Sgt. who's home base is Hickam AFB in Hawaii but was visiting us via the Pentagon.
Our Service ended with TAPS.
And now I'll leave you with other shots I took from yesterday's Service....
A special Thank You from me to Joe Vece, President, Red Knights MC FL Chapt. 11 for putting this beautiful memorial service together. You did a wonderful job!
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Lysa, What an amazing post this is. I flagged it and gave you a well deserved 5....thanks to your beautiful pictures I felt as though I were right there...thank you so much for writing a post that gives hope for a better world.
Jo