To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, the Exchange Club of Madison created an American flag display on the Town Green as a somber reminder of the lives lost. This year, the Club will host Madison Salutes Our Heroes to honor those who died on 9/11, first responders, active U.S. military personnel, veterans, and everyday heroes.

In 2021, more than 250 people purchased an American flag, and the Club aims to once again fill the Town Green with American flags from Friday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 16.

According to Exchange Club board member Nancy Smith, anyone can be an honoree this year, including a teacher who changed a life, a friend who offered support when it was needed most, and all those people and organizations that brought light and hope into their lives.

Smith said the event is an important opportunity to remember all of the heroes associated with the 9/11 attacks and its aftermath and to honor Madison’s everyday heroes as well.

“The original idea was to honor and support those who died on 9/11 or served in the aftermath of that terrible tragedy, so it was more of a veteran’s kind of commemoration. But we decided this year we wanted to expand it. That’s why we are calling this year’s event Madison Salutes Its Heroes. We want anyone who has positively influenced someone’s life, whether it’s a teacher, or a caregiver, or a nurse, or a doctor. Anyone who is a hero to someone can be included in addition to the honorees that we celebrate.” Smith said. “9/11 changed our lives forever and profoundly. This exhibit really demonstrates that. And this is for those everyday heroes as well, this year.”

The display will consist of 3’ x 5’ American or K9 flags with a dedication tag naming who is being honored and by whom. Visitors will be able to walk among the flags to view the dedication names and sponsors, said Smith.

The cost is$40 for an American flag and $60 for a K9 flag. Flags can be picked up after the event as a keepsake or be given back to the Club for future events.

According to Smith, last year’s event drew large crowds during the day. At night, the lighted flags made for a somber but beautiful work of art and honor.

“People were incredibly emotional when they were walking through the flags last year. Reading the tags and the dedications is very moving,” Smith said. “Madison lost several community members as a result of 9/11, so this is a very personal thing for many residents. We know this meant a lot to not only the people of Madison, but for those driving by the green and seeing the display. We are really happy to do this, and last year when the flags were lit it was not just moving, but truly beautiful. Flags, as we’ve seen with Ukraine, are an incredibly important symbol. More than ever, flags mean a lot.”

The display can be visited anytime during the run, and there will be two events for residents to publicly honor their hero. The first will be on Friday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. at the exhibit dedication. The other event is an official Town remembrance to honor the members of the Madison community who lost their lives on 9/11 at a service at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11.

The Exchange Club of Madison is an all-volunteer civic club that works to make the Connecticut shoreline a better place to live. They conduct four programs of service, and all of their fundraising and volunteer efforts support the goals of Americanism, child abuse prevention, community service, and youth programs. The Americanism projects are intended to support veterans, promote pride, respect for the flag, and appreciation of our freedoms, according to the Club’s mission statement.

For more information about purchasing a flag, visit madisonexchange.org/flags. Flags can be purchased up until the day of the event, and event sponsorships are available through Thursday, Aug. 18.