Harrison Moving Flag Tribute honors sacrifices of 9/11, builds community

Lindsey Merzlak of Harrison remembers sitting in a Highlands Middle School science class when news broke that terrorists hijacked planes and struck the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.

“My teacher put it on TV and nobody knew what was happening,” Merzlak said. “I remember our parents were allowed to come pick us up.”

Merzlak spent part of the morning on Thursday with her family, carrying a large American flag while supporting the annual 9/11 Moving Flag Tribute in Harrison.

From about 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., walkers and runners of all ages carried flags up and down a 2-mile stretch to memorialize the nearly 3,000 Americans killed in attacks.

“With everything that’s going on in the world, it feels good to give back,” said Merzlak’s husband, A.J.

The couple walked with their children, Tanner and Delaney, and said they planned to make it a tradition.

For 24 years, hundreds of people from around the area have participated in the event.

Scouts, youth groups, athletic teams and others walk from Lamparski Orthodontics near Eat ’n Park to Morgan Street in Brackenridge, and back. All while waving American flags and garnering the attention of honking motorists.

The Highlands High School honors choir performs each year. Last year, a new tradition started to honor fallen Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire by moving a police flag throughout the day.

Donations collected will be shared between Eureka Fire-Rescue and the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches.

Army veteran Ray Kerr organizes the annual event with Harrison resident Kate Bielak. Kerr said it’s not only a remembrance, but an educational tool for so many.

“I’m coaching JV baseball and none of those kids were even born yet when this happened,” he said.

“It’s important to teach people the sacrifices that were made.”

American resilience is strong, Kerr said, and is bolstered when people of all walks of life come together for these kinds of activities.

The walk steps off at 5:30 a.m., when the terrorists first crossed through security on 9/11, and runs through 8:30 p.m. when then-President George W. Bush spoke about the tragedy on TV.

Roger Chilton has been volunteering about 13 years. An Army veteran, he plans to walk with his daughters later in the day and pick up litter along the way.

Eureka Fire-Rescue President Dave Webb said he shows up and does whatever is asked of him.

“I just want to show support any way I can,” he said.

Amy Celko of Brackenridge turned out for the 9:30 a.m. time slot to help ensure coverage during the morning, prior to the onslaught of school-aged children later in the day.

She said the day seems like it carries even more weight given the current turbulent political climate and the killing of conservative political firebrand Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.

“I just hope people see it as a way to come together,” she said.