“You realize how special this is when you’re there and the morning sun is shining on all those flags. It’s hauntingly beautiful.”
Winnetka Village President Chris Rintz used those words to describe the 2,977 small American flags that waved on Winnetka’s Village Green Monday, a tribute to those who perished in the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
For the 10th year running, the green blossomed with flags, each representing a victim of the attacks, placed by volunteers who came together on the afternoon of Sept. 10 to complete the task. The flags remained on display until sunset Sept. 11, giving passersby the chance to reflect and remember what took place 16 years ago in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
The tradition of flag placement began in 2008, when North Shore Country Day School junior Genevieve Neilsen decided to honor those killed in the terrorist attacks. When she headed to college, she passed responsibility for the ceremony to New Trier High School student and Winnetka resident Taylor Tucker, who in turn passed it on to her brothers; first, Elliott, and then Jackson.
This year, New Trier freshman Henry Cripe, 15, his 12-year-old brother Charlie, a student at Carleton Washburne School, and their younger siblings William, 9, and Julia, 5, both Greeley Elementary School students, picked up the torch.
“Jackson Tucker asked if we wanted to do it a few months ago,” Charlie Tucker said Sept. 10, shortly before he and his siblings headed to the Village Green. “He said, ‘I’m going to college, do you guys want to pick it up?’
“We had to think about it for a bit, definitely, but we wanted to be part of something that we could carry on that has major importance to our village,” Charlie said. “We talked to our dad (Village Council member Andrew Cripe), and he helped us make up our mind.”
As they have in the past, members of Winnetka Scout Troop 20 helped plant the flags. Winnetka’s fire and police departments also took part, as did other community volunteers.
Winnetka Fire Chief Alan Berkowsky said Sept. 11 that he joined about seven firefighters to help on Sept. 10.
“What I like about this is that it’s a participatory event,” he said Monday. “When you go to other ceremonies, they are moving and adults can appreciate it, but this allows young people to get involved, and that helps them consider what they are remembering.”
Several Winnetka police officers also took part, Interim Police Chief Marc Hornstein said Monday.
“It’s impressive that you have young people carrying on the tradition, and that they’re recognizing the importance of the day ,” Hornstein said.
Rintz, too, said he was impressed by the number of young Winnetka residents who have repeatedly taken part in the Village Green ceremony.
“It’s not a village event, it’s not a council event, it’s a volunteer effort and it’s really gratifying to see the young people keeping it alive,” he said.
Twitter: @pioneer_kathy