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Letter to the editor

6 years later, banners yet wave

Two groups will commemorate the attacks of Sept. 11the same way they always do: by gathering to wave American flags.

By JARED LEONE Times Staff Writer
Published September 7, 2007

Let's roll. These colors don't run. Or the printed image of the American flag in sticker form.

The months after Sept. 11, 2001, these patriotic messages were plastered on cars, trucks and SUVs across the country.

Groups like the Lutz Patriots started waving flags weekly on busy street corners - getting more than 180 people to help them wave flags by their second week.

And the GFWC Lutz-Land O'Lakes Woman's Club remembers the terror attacks each year on the fateful September day by waving flags in front of the Old Lutz School with the Patriots.

While the stickers may have faded or been removed, six years after the terrorist attacks the flag wavers are still at it, and the woman's club will continue its yearly tradition this Tuesday.

This will be the fifth year the woman's club has marked the day by waving flags in front of the Old Lutz School. Interest has yet to wane, members say.

"Nobody criticizes us," said club spokeswoman Auralee Buckingham. "Everybody honks their horn as they drive by. We even have people pull in and wave the flags with us."

While many members arrive with their own flags, Buckingham said flags will be available to anyone who shows up. She recommends that participants bring water and a small flag, because two hours of waving can quickly tire out anyone's arms.

Barbara Nicholson, president of the woman's club, said this will be her third year waving flags. She likened the event to a parade, with all the horn-honking, cheering and waving that goes on.

"We just want to make sure that people remain aware of what happened on 9/11 and to honor the people who died, as well as our service men and women in foreign countries and here in the United States serving our country," she said.

Support continues despite deep divisions regarding the U.S. role in Iraq.

Not only do crowds gather on Sept. 11, the Lutz Patriots wave flags every Friday at the Old Lutz School as well.

They say they want to remember the terrorist attack and show unwavering support for U.S. troops.

Barbara Mueller started the Lutz Patriots in 2003 with her sister Karen Williams.

Mueller said flag waving is still an easy sell, with 10 to 25 people taking part each week.

"I thought by now interest might have waned some, but it has not," she said. "I get calls every week."

If you go

Flag waving

Where: 9 to 10 a.m. at SunTrust Bank, 21744 State Road 54, or 4 to 6 p.m. at Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 N.

When: Tuesday

Call: 813 996-7742 or e-mail lutzpatriots@aol.com.

[Last modified September 6, 2007, 08:17:21]