Elizabeth Barnes turned the September 11th attacks' immense destruction into an effort of profound creation: the Terrorism Memorial Flag. Barnes designed the flag first to include the victims of the 9/11 attacks, and later Americans killed in acts of terrorism in the last 30 years.
Barnes and her husband began this labor of love by first hand-crafting cross-stitch patterns for each terrorist incident, and then designing them on a computer. Once the patterns were created, they were sent via email to willing stitchers. The volunteers purchased their fabric and thread and completed their squares. Barnes tracked who received each pattern and when the stitchers returned the completed squares. As word of the project spread, the stitchers went from numbering 15 locals to 1,300 men, women and children from across the world.
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| The Terrorism Information Center houses the Terrorism Memorial Flag. |
The Terrorism Memorial Flag contains over 4,000 cross-stitched squares that incorporate the name of the person killed, date and event, as well as a symbol. The more than 20 symbols on the named squares range from representations of the events to victim affiliations, such as fire fighters or police officers. The stars that represent the 50 states are two by two feet and contain a rose, symbolizing peace, and state initials.
An army of volunteers assisted Barnes with sewing together the squares into 54 separate sections. The Flag was displayed on the ground in rows with aisles between, to facilitate close viewing. As one piece, the Flag measures 60 by 35 feet.
Barnes donated the Terrorism Memorial Flag to MIPT on April 15, 2004. She said, "It is not an easy decision to let this flag go, but MIPT's goals fit so well with the sprit of this project that it seems a natural place for it. I know that in the Institute's care, the Memorial Flag will continue to affect and educate all who view it, so that it will continue to help those touched by the tragedy of terrorism to heal and to find hope."
The Terrorism Memorial Flag now permanently resides in the vaulted ceiling of the Terrorism Information Center.
MIPT has created a database that contains the names, image of the cross-stitched square, and other information for each victim that is on the flag. The image is downloadable, printable, and can be emailed. Users can search the database by name, event, occupation, flight number, and other information. To search the database, complete the form below.
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