The Unites States Honor Flag makes a stop in the Natural State for Independence Day. The flag, which flew during the ground zero recovery effort, was greeted with full honors by firemen and police officers at the Little Rock National Airport before heading to the Clinton Library.
An American Eagle plane landed at the Little Rock National Airport with special cargo on board, it's the United States Honor Flag. It flew in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as Ground Zero. Local firefighters, police officers and several patriotic Americans waited for the flag.
As firefighters walked with it, you could hear these words over the intercom, "It's honest, integrity representing the personal courage of the men and women in uniform who daily face fear danger and adversity without hesitation."
The flag also takes part in memorial services for firefighters, police officers and service men who die in the line of duty. "Once I got the flag in my hands and was going through the terminal it really hit home, it's always an honor to be able to honor the fallen whenever we get a chance," says Jason Mize a Little Rock Firefighter.
Sergeant Todd Turner with Carlisle Police also took part in the event, "It's heart touching, kind of raises goose bumps on your arms whenever the flag comes by you knowing that it's traveled across the country and that it's such a big part of our nation right now."
After the procession a motorcade took the flag to the Clinton Library. "We do this because we want to bring public awareness to all to basically send the message that we should respect and support those who serve our community, our country in hopes that we will have the same kind of patriotic feeling we had shortly after September 11th attacks," says Tammy Heisler with the Honor Network.
For former Georgia firefighter Clifton McDowell those feelings come rushing back. He's moved by the ceremony and the opportunity to see the Honor Flag. "It just makes a proud American even prouder."
This is truly living up to the Honor Network's slogan, one flag, one nation, all heroes. Since 2001 the Honor Flag has paid tribute to over a thousand fallen American heroes. In May the flag took part in various events in DC during National Peace Officers Memorial Week. It will be on display at the Clinton Library until Sunday.
