Founded in 2011 to honor and remember the heroes and victims of 9/11, America’s Heartland Remembers is a nonprofit organization that has now expanded its focus to include honoring the memories of the service members who have been lost in theater since 9/11/2001 in the War on Terror.
Since inception, the foundation has donated more than $500,000 to various Military Charities, including The Semper Fi & America’s Fund, Missouri Military Memorial Foundation, Greater St. Louis Honor Flight and Patriot Training Foundation. The organization also published the book “Under One Flag” in 2014.
In addition to the Flags of Valor event that occurs on every five-year anniversary of 9/11, the commitment of America’s Heartland Remembers to our fallen heroes includes:
Helping more than 60 families of fallen heroes across the Midwest with funeral arrangements and memorializing their loved ones with picture boards.
Placing flags at churches and funeral homes when veterans pass away.
Assisting in the planning and construction of three veteran memorials in the St. Louis area and one in Preston, Iowa.
Photographing funeral services at Jefferson Barracks on behalf of veterans' families.
Our History
America’s Heartland Remembers has been honoring our heroes since 2011. With each event, we have found ways to add deeper meaning and context for those who remember with us. Twenty years later, we are educating a new generation who did not experience the events and aftermath of September 11, 2001.
Our sense of responsibility has never felt stronger.
2011 Flags of Valor
The inaugural event was held ten years after 9/11. Taking place from September 10 to 18, the event featured 2,977 flags placed on Art Hill to remember the individuals lost on that tragic day at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, on Flight 93 and the first responders who gave their lives to save others.
2016 Flags of Valor
On the 15th anniversary of 9/11, the Flags of Valor event (which took place September 6 to 11) honored the 6,869 service members who died in the War on Terror during the following operations:
- Enduring Freedom
- New Dawn
- Iraqi Freedom
- Inherent Resolve
- Freedom’s Sentinel
2021 Flags of Valor
Two decades after September 11, 2001, we have a purpose beyond remembering: educating. With a new generation of gatherers, we will supplement our display to include:
- 6 oversized visual informational boards, 3 on each end of the Grand Basin, representing 2,564 victims of the 9/11 attacks
- 413 black and white 3’x5’ American flags with either a red or blue stripe on top of the Grand Basin recognizing the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice to save lives
- 7,000+ American 3’x5’ flags honoring and remembering each service member who has died in the War on Terror since 9/11/2001, each marked by an informational dog tag and a picture of the hero
