Del Rio remembers 9/11 with flag ceremony Published Sept. 8, 2011 By 2nd Lt. James Ramirez 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- There are not many Americans who cannot recall their exact location and what they were doing Sept. 11, 2001. In the days that followed, the terrorists assumed the United States would be at its weakest, but much to their dismay the country had never been stronger. From coast to coast, in small towns and large cities more American flags flew than ever before as the country displayed the nation's proudest symbol to honor the two that had fallen. Naturally, as time passed, the American flags that once flew proud and true began to become unserviceable and a Laughlin civilian chose to do something about it. Stephen Rosalez, 47th Maintenance office of data management, started Project Pledge of Allegiance in order to ensure that everyone had the ability to render the proper retirement courtesies for unserviceable American flags. Rosalez began to contact the owner's of the unserviceable flags in order to thank them for their patriotism and offer retirement for each flag. An annual flag ceremony began when Rosalez organized an event with the local Girl Scout troop. This event offered the opportunity for many flags to be retired at one location at one time, greatly enhancing the effectiveness of Project Pledge of Allegiance. This year's event is scheduled to be held Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Val Verde County Fair Grounds. "There will be music, door prizes and of course the opportunity to show that we all remember that tragic day," said Rosalez. Rosalez urges all citizens of Del Rio to show their devotion by bringing any unserviceable American, Texas or Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Flags to the ceremony to properly honor these symbols of American patriotism.