Sept. 11 remembrance: Looking back at Tucson's 2001 'living flag' tribute
Thousands of Tucsonans formed a human flag on Sept. 15, 2001 to honor the nearly 3,000 people who died in the 9/11 attacks.
The crowd of 15,000 local men, women and children gathered at Tucson Electric Park, now Kino Stadium, where Arizona Daily Star photographer David Sanders took an aerial photo of the "living flag."
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.
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Around 15,000 Tucsonans endured midday heat to form a human American flag at Tucson Electric Park — now called Kino Stadium. Participants can now tag themselves in an interactive photo of the tribute.
