Tribute flags serve as reminder of attack victims, terror war's costs
By: Patty Yauger, Herald-Standard
06/16/2005
Salvatore "Sam" Ross, who was injured in 2003 during a tour of duty in Iraq, feels the frame of a limited edition flag made by America's County Flag Co. of Lambertsville, Somerset County. (Dave Rafferty/Herald-Standard)
John Maslak was supposed to be overseeing a construction job at the B'nai B'rith building in Washington, D.C., on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, but instead he was at his Lambertsville, Somerset County, home talking to his sister about the upcoming weekend wedding of a New York cousin.
Across town, Cindy Sheaffer was completing some morning chores before taking her then-5-year-old daughter to kindergarten.
More than 50 miles away, Salvatore "Sam" Ross had just turned on the television as American Airlines Flight 11 slammed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
The tragedy of that day began a turn of events that ultimately brought the trio together to form a business partnership aimed to help those who keep the country from another terrorist attack. They also intend to make certain the nation never forgets the lives lost on that fateful September morning.
The idea behind the America's County Flag Co. arose amid the devastation of the attacks and the subsequent war on terror being fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to Sheaffer, the company's president, and Maslak, its executive vice president.
Ross, who later enlisted in the U.S. Army, recently joined the company as its spokesman.
Maslak learned of the attack when his sibling relayed to him that the first aircraft had crashed through the New York City skyscraper. As he turned on his television, United Airlines Flight 75 plunged into the South Tower.
His first thoughts were of those family members living in New York and his nearby mother who would be worried about their welfare.
He reached his mother by telephone as he listened to the news accounts of a third passenger airplane - American Airlines Flight 77 - that crashed into the Pentagon in Washington.
Before he could say goodbye, the phone connection was severed, the lights dimmed and the foundation of his home was rocked by an unknown source.
"My first thought was that they dropped the atomic bomb," he said in recalling the incident.
Maslak and neighbors converged outside their respective residences and hurriedly exchanged similar accounts of household items tumbling and shared fears of what was transpiring on the East Coast.
Off in the distance, a mushroom shaped cloud was spotted - United Airlines Flight 93, the fourth terrorist-hijacked aircraft, had crashed just a few miles from where Maslak was standing.
Unaware that the source of the smoke cloud and the loss of utilities was the downed airplane, Maslak and a neighbor traversed the narrow, rural roadways to find out just what had happened.
Their journey led them to an isolated farm field.
"We walked up to (the apparent source of the cloud of smoke) and there was this large hole, maybe 25 feet wide and 40 feet long," Maslak recalled. "We still didn't know what had happened."
The next person to arrive was a state trooper, who informed the two men that an airplane had crashed.
"There was no way. The hole wasn't big enough and there was nothing there (to indicate a crash had taken place)," said Maslak. "When (the trooper) said that it was a passenger aircraft, I still didn't believe him.
"There wasn't anything there but a hole."
Later, Maslak and his neighbors recovered newspapers, pieces of the plane wreckage and other items. He contends Flight 93 was destroyed in mid-air by the U.S. military, which resulted in the scattering of debris across the nearby communities of Lamberton and Shanksville.
In the same time frame, Sheaffer learned of the terror attacks, and instead of taking her kindergartener to school she went to the local high school to pick up her daughter because she wanted the family to be together.
"There were a lot of parents there with solemn faces," she said. "It was frightening to think that our nation was being attacked."
Ross, meanwhile, was awestruck by the turn of events.
"It was unbelievable what was happening - four airliners hijacked by terrorists and thousands of people dead in a matter of hours," he said. "It was something I never thought could happen here."
The 9-11 aftermath brought Sheaffer and Maslak to initiate the America's County Flag Co., which would design, copyright and market a commemorative flag. The flag depicts the three crash sites using the Betsy Ross designed flag with 13 stars as its background.
"We used the Betsy Ross flag because it says from the founding of our great country to this tragic day may we never forget the cost of freedom," said Sheaffer. "Throughout our history, many have laid down their lives for freedom's sake. Those who died in New York, Washington and Shanksville on Sept. 11 (2001), along with those in the military who continue to protect our freedom, are recognized through this flag."
While the two business owners were coordinating their efforts, Ross joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to one of the first units to cross into Iraq. He was seriously injured in May 2003 when a pit filled with bombs to be disarmed exploded as he stood nearby.
Sheaffer and Maslak later read the accounts of the Dunbar soldier and decided that they would take a portion of the company's proceeds and donate them to Ross.
"I called Cindy and told her we were going to track this guy down," said Maslak. "His story was so compelling."
The two traveled to the Dunbar office of state Sen. Richard Kasunic, who brought them together with Ross.
The trio talked for several hours. Sheaffer and Maslak concluded that Ross should be their company spokesman, and Ross was convinced it was an opportunity to help his fellow veterans.
"The three of us were brought together on Sept. 11," Ross said, "and it took a few years for us to get together, but together we're working to make sure Americans never forget what happened that day and to help those that have fought and are fighting to make sure it never happens again."
Currently, each limited edition commemorative "Cost of Freedom" flag is being hand-sewn by Maslak's neighbor Ron Igou, who also assisted with choosing the materials to be used and developing the pattern.
The first 10 tribute flags have been designated for specific individuals or organizations connected to Sept. 11.
President Bush has received the first flag. U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, in whose district Sheaffer and Maslak reside, was presented the second flag during a ceremony held at his Somerset office.
"The flag is a reminder of the sacrifices made on Sept. 11, 2001, and in combat during the war on terror," said Shuster. "I have it hanging in the front of my Washington office for myself and visitors to remember everyone who lost their life that day and also remember our troops fighting terrorism around the globe.
"The American flag is the worldwide symbol of democracy, freedom and liberty and a reminder of the sacrifices made to keep our country safe."
The third flag was presented to the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Co., the first emergency response team to arrive at the crash scene.
Sheaffer, Maslak and Ross are working with Shuster to present a commemorative flag to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld for placement at the Flight 93 memorial being established at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
"This dedication would be fitting, because most intelligence suggests that (Flight 93) plane was heading for the Capitol building," said Shuster. "The heroic actions of the men and women aboard Flight 93 saved the lives of everyone working there, and these self-sacrificing efforts should be remembered in Washington."
Other recipients include former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, who was later named head of the U.S. Homeland Security Department, the New York City police and fire departments, the American Legion National Headquarters and the Flight 93 Memorial at the Shanksville crash site.
The limited edition flag comes with a certificate of authenticity with the series number embroidered at the bottom right corner. It is available framed or unframed.
Scheaffer said the Valley Forge Flag Co. is licensed to produce a second, less costly version for greater distribution.
The company also has sold several commemorative flags, with 10 percent of the proceeds set aside for veterans assistance programs.
Ross, meanwhile, said that he believes the flag will serve as a constant reminder to the families that lost loved ones on Sept. 11, 2001, and those who have fought the war on terror, so that their sacrifice will not be forgotten.
"We can never forget," he said.
To purchase the a commemorative flag or for additional information, visit the company's Web site at www.americascountyflagcompany.com or e-mail Sheaffer at americascountyflagco@shol.com.
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