Matt Sollars

Nearly 3,000 names, an American flag for each one. As first responders and family members read the 9/11 names at Floyd Bennett Field, a host of rain-soaked flags snapped in the wind behind them.

For the sixth commemoration of 9/11, with access to Ground Zero severely restricted, some New Yorkers created their own poignant backdrop to commemorate those who were lost.

With the help of the 9/11 Healing Field organization, volunteers from all over the city and state erected nearly 3,000 American flags – one for each person lost on 9/11 – at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn.

9/11 Healing Field organized the first such commemoration in Utah for the first anniversary in 2002. Since then, they have organized similar events all over the country. Healing Field then sells the flags, all of the proceeds go to local charities. This was the first time that a Healing Field had been created in New York City.

Organizers have committed to bringing the Healing Field back to New York City again next year.