Manchester, Missouri, honoring first responders this week for 9/11 anniversary

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - 23 years ago tomorrow, terrorists took over four aircrafts, crashing two into the World Trade Center, one into The Pentagon, and the fourth crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to stop the hijackers, killing nearly 3,000 overall.

13 years ago, Flags of Valor was established through America's Heartland Remebers and installed nearly 3,000 American flags on Art Hill honoring those lost.

"My wife and I were both tremendously affected, like we all were, by the events on 9/11," said Rick Randall from America's Heartland Remembers on Total Information A.M. Tuesday. "It changed our outlook on, on a lot of things. And so as we approached the 10th year anniversary (back in 2011), we'd seen a beautiful display display along the Pacific Ocean in front of Pepperdine University and we thought 'we can do that here in Saint Louis. We need to do that.'"

This year, the installation is also in Manchester, Missouri, honoring the first responders who lost their lives on Sept. 11. Hundreds of American flags from Flags of Valor were set up in Stoecker Park this week.

"America Heartland Remembers approached us at the beginning of this year and said, 'would we consider hosting a smaller version of Flags of Valor?' We said, 'absolutely.' said Manchester Mayor Mike Clement. "And we have thrown certainly the support of the city staff behind it. And we're very proud. It's beautiful."

A special ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Stoecker Park at 5:30 p.m. to remember the first responders who answered the call that day 23 years ago.

Special guest speaker Krista Salvatore will give eye-witness testimony as she walked down the stairs to safety, while fire, police and medic personnel walked up the tower toward the danger. A special Memorial Table Ceremony and music will round out the program.

"(Salvatore's) story will bring you to your knees having a hard time not crying right now, just thinking of Krista," said Randall. "I think everybody should in the audience should try and make it out to Margaret Stoecker Park in Manchester (Wednesday) at 5:30 p.m. because to hear Krista talk about it brings the reality of that day, right to your heart."