Flag Flown At 9/11 Ground Zero Coming To Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A U.S. flag that flew over the rubble of the Twin Towers after the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, will be flown over each of the Toms River fire companies in a series of solemn ceremonies on Sept. 29.

Toms River Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 announced the ceremonies recently.

The 3-foot-by-5-foot flag was sent to authorities in New York City shortly after the terror attacks by John Sullivan, the owner of American Flag Company of Forked River.

According to Carl Weingroff, Sullivan contacted Toms River Fire Company 1 to ask its members to attend a trip he arranged for Nov. 2, 2001.

"While we were at the site, he presented a larger flag containing many support signatures and statements," Weingroff said. At the same time, the 3x5 flag was retrieved from the rubble pile and returned to Sullivan.

Since then, the flag has flown in Iraq and Afghanistan with the military; it's flown at the site of the capture of Saddam Hussein, and on aircraft carriers and in various military aircraft on missions, Weingroff said.

On Sept. 29, the flag will be presented and ceremonies held at each of the six Toms River fire departments (Toms River Fire Companies 1 and 1, East Dover, Pleasant Plains, Ocean Beach and Silverton).

Each ceremony will consist of the flag being flown on the fire company's flag pole for 9 minutes, 11 seconds. The flag also is accompanied by a small, marble cross that is believed to have been cut from the marble staircase of the South Tower.

After the ceremonies at the fire companies, a final ceremony with the flag will be held at the Toms River Fire Academy on Church Road at about 4 p.m.

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Photo by Karen Wall, Patch staff