Jean Rickerson of Sequim recently took a business trip to New York City, where she had the opportunity to visit the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero. She found the experience to be so moving that she wanted to somehow bring a memory of it home.
Rickerson discovered a fitting way to do so. As a commemorative piece for the 10-year observance of the tragic event, a Flag of Honor had been prepared.
At first glance, it looks like a normal flag with the field of 50 stars in the upper left-hand corner. But the red and white stripes are not solid colors. Instead these rows are comprised of the names of the those who lost their lives on that tragic day.
Jean saw a full-size replica of this flag for sale and she knew this is what she wanted to bring back to her community. She wasn’t sure how she would use it but she knew a way would become clear.
When she read in the paper that Readers Theatre Plus (RT+) was presenting on 9/11 this year a production of “The Guys,” a piece honoring the first responders who lost their lives in the attack, she knew she wanted to present the flag the night of the show. Her husband, Rick, built a handsome display frame for the flag.
At the conclusion of the show the Rickersons presented the flag and told the audience about its history.
The flag was presented to RT+ but since that group does not have a building in which to display the flag, a quick search was undertaken to find a proper home for it.
All involved wanted the flag to be visible to the public, but safe and in a home where it would be honored and respected. The local chapter of the Masons quickly stepped forward to offer such a location.
With the love of country that this group demonstrates, the Rickersons and the RT+ board knew they had found the perfect home.
On Nov. 8 a formal presentation was made at the Sequim Masonic lodge. The Masons will display the Flag of Honor in their lobby and the public will be able to view it whenever the Lodge is open.
Since RT+ intends to present “The Guys” annually to observe and honor those lost on 9/11, the Masons have agreed to accept the flag “on permanent loan.” It will be removed from the lodge one day a year, 9/11, to be displayed at the Readers Theatre Plus production of “The Guys.”
