In the days after the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, about 15,000 Tucsonans endured midday heat to form a human American flag at Tucson Electric Park — now called Kino Stadium.
Organizers spent two hours arranging most of them into a red, white and blue show of support for victims. Then David Sanders, an Arizona Daily Star photographer, snapped the flag from a police helicopter.
A KRQ-FM radio disc jockey and his listeners hatched the idea as they talked on air shortly after the deadly attacks.
The Arizona Daily Star and KVOA-Channel 4 teamed up to produce a poster of the flag that was sold to raise money for a disaster relief fund. People later stood in long lines to get the poster and donated $160,000. The image also became a billboard at Oracle and River Roads.
Over the years, the Star has republished the photo on our website and Facebook page. We've received dozens of comments from Tucsonans who remember that day and where they were in the photo.
Now, we've turned that image into an interactive photo on which the participants can pin where they are on the flag. If you or someone you know were part of that day, leave a pin here and tell us what you remember.
RELATED:
Sept. 11 remembrance: Looking back at Tucson's 2001 'living flag' tribute
Sept. 11 tribute at Tucson Electric Park
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Over 12,000 people helped make a giant US flag on the outfield of Tucson Electric Park in honor of the terrorists attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Photo by David Sanders.
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Mikki Turner stands on the concourse as she sells American Flags to people at the Human Flag Celebration Saturday, September 15, 2001 at Tucson Electric Park. Turner had three sizes of flags and sold them for $5, $10 and $15 with 25% going to help families effected by the World Trade Center bombing.
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People join hands during a prayer for those who lost thier lives in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon during a Human Flag celebration Saturday at Tucson Electric Park.
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Robin Dolezal jumps as he leads the first row of people to make the bottom red stripe on the American Flag Saturday, September 15, 2001 at Tucson Electric Center.
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People from the Red section walk onto the field to form the first red stripe to the Human Flag Saturday, September 15, 2001 at Tucson Electric Park.
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Alex Beltran applies a temporary tattoo on Rylee Beltran, 18 months, as they waited to be a part of one of white stripes to make up the human flag Saturday, September 15, 2001 at Tucson Electric Park. A picture taken from a helicopter will be made into a billboard in New York City.
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Some 12,000 Tucsonans gather to create a giant US flag at TEP Park to show national support for the cities of Washington D.C. and NYC after they suffered terrorists attacks.
United We Stand
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Overall of a human made US flag at TEP Park, containing 10,000 Tucsonans in support of NYC and Washington D.C. after terrorists attacks. Organizers sent out a call for 7,900 volunteers to create the living flag; more than 15,000 turned out at Tucson Electric Park despite a hot, humid day. Eventually, 10,000 in their red, white or blue shirts got to be part of the human depiction of Old Glory. A photograph of the human flag was sent to rescue workers in New York City as a show of solidarity and support.
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The crowd disperse after an aerial picture was taken of the human US flag at TEP Park. Photo by David Sanders.
