Saturday, September 12, 2015

Flag for Hope

Last June when we went to Alabama, we visited Nashville for a few days.   While we were in Nashville, we were able to participate in an incredible project called "Flag for Hope."   Kerri, Cam and I were able to have our hand prints on this flag.  It was so touching and I was so excited to be a part of this amazing project!


Here is the info from their website about what Flag for Hope is about:

 

What is Flag for Hope?

 

The Flag for Hope project was started to help promote UNITY among all Americans.

 

It is about honor and respect for the men and women that have proudly worn a United States Military Uniform and fought for our freedoms. It signifies appreciation and gratitude for those individuals who serve in our communities like police, fire, teachers, doctors and nurses. It calls us to remember all Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice at the hands of both foreign and domestic enemy attacks. We are all one country and one people. If an American is harmed ANYWHERE, we all suffer and mourn.

This epic mission was started at the Indianapolis 500 on May 23, 2015. The Flag for Hope team will travel across the United States and go to over 120 cities and roughly 300 locations. Our goal is to collect approximately 5,000 American hand impressions on a giant canvas to create the American Flag. Each participant will put their impression on the flag in either red, white or blue paint. There will be 50 American Gold Medal Olympians representing the 50 states. This symbolically will show the solidarity of the entire nation. Lastly, the 50 stars will be Iconic Americans that have greatly contributed to the strength of our country. They will be honored in 5 categories of significance. They are as follows:
  1. Humanitarian/Philanthropy/BusinessBlueStar_FFHSite
  2. Entertainment/Music
  3. Sports Legends
  4. American Heroes/Veteran
  5. American Heroes/Civilian
The Flag For Hope will be completed on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2015 at the Arlington National Cemetery. Finally, the flag will be donated to a museum like the Smithsonian Institute for all Americans to view for generations to come.

In August, I was contacted by Darcy from Flag for Hope.  She said that they were coming to Arizona and asked if I would like to host a private party.   Of course I said "ABSOLUTELY I WOULD!!!!!!"    What an honor!!  So on Sunday, August 30, 2015, we had Don and Marcos here at my house from 2:00 through 5:00.  We invited several people and ended up with 35.   Most everyone stayed the entire time.   By now the flag was very filled compared to June so everyone put their fingerprints in red on it.  Then Marcos videotaped each person on what the flag means to them.  My aunt Teresa was able to participate also and she was very touched.

In order to go along with the theme, I made red chili meat, got blue corn tortillas chips and had white tortillas (also beans and salsa) for everyone who came.   There will only be around 5000 people who participate in the entire country.  They hope to put it in the National Museum and eventually the Smithsonian.    And we all got to be part of history!  I was so honored to host this party.

Here is what Darcy wrote on Facebook about our event:

Here is a great story from Gilbert, Arizona. These Flag for Hope Day pictures are from a gathering hosted by Sheila Rogers. We originally met Sheila in Nashville, TN but when she heard we were in Arizona she contacted us to host an event. It was especially nice to hear Sheila talk about how far the Flag has come since she saw it initially. Sheila, as well as most of the guests are current or retired school teachers. Thanks for the great work and support Arizona! ‪#‎flagforhope‬ 


While they were in Arizona, they added the first three of 50 stars to the flag...John McCain, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, and Muhammad Ali!   What great company we were in!!!

This week they have been in New York City of the 9/11 anniversary.  I cannot begin to express what being a part of this has meant to me and how honored I was to be asked to host an event.  I know everyone who was here that Sunday feels the same way.  We are blessed!!!!!! 

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