The National 9/11 Flag Stitching Restoration at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. (February 7, 2011) – On February 18, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will host The National 9/11 Flag Stitching Restoration for the state of Florida, presented by The New York Says Thank You Foundation. As part of a national journey across America, local service heroes and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex guests will join FDNY firefighters to help sew the Florida restorative patch, featuring a retired flag that flew over Kennedy Space Center, onto the historic National 9/11 Flag.

The event will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, beginning with a ceremony led by The New York Says Thank You Foundation, followed by the first flag stitches by nominated heroes, first responders, families of 9/11 victims and local veterans. Flag stitching will be open to guests immediately following the ceremony until 3:00 p.m. The 20-by-30.5 foot flag, with the completed Florida patch, will be raised at 4:00 p.m. in the Rocket Garden.

The public is invited to nominate local service heroes from Florida who deserve the honor of stitching The National 9/11 Flag at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Nominees can be people of all ages who exemplify service and sacrifice to their local communities and to the U.S. and may be a wounded warrior, military veteran, first responder, educator, student, or volunteer service leader. Nominations must be received by February 11 and must be submitted online at www.National911Flag.org by clicking on “Nominate a Service Hero.”

The National 9/11 Flag, recovered in fragments after the collapse of the World Trade Center, is on a cross-country journey to be stitched back to its original 13-stripe format using pieces of fabric from American flags destined for retirement in all 50 states. Once the flag is made whole again by the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, The National 9/11 Flag will become part of the permanent collection of the National September 11 Memorial Museum being built at the World Trade Center.

A $5 discount coupon is available for additional guests and the general public by visiting www.KennedySpaceCenter.com/flag.

About Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens at 9 a.m. Closing times vary by season. The Visitor Complex is open daily except December 25 and certain launch days. Admission includes the Shuttle Launch Experience, Kennedy Space Center Tour, 3D IMAX® space films, Astronaut Encounter, all exhibits, and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®, featuring historic spacecraft and the world's largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia. Parking, wheelchairs, strollers and pet kennels are free of charge. Admission is $41 + tax for adults and $31 + tax for children ages 3-11. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Commander’s Club Annual Pass is $53 + tax for adults and $43 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.

About The New York Says Thank You Foundation
The mission of The New York Says Thank You Foundation is to commemorate the generosity extended to New Yorkers by Americans from all across the country in the days, weeks, and months following September 11, by sending volunteers from New York City each year on the 9/11 anniversary to help rebuild communities around the United States affected by disasters. The New York Says Thank You Foundation is proud to be the national custodian for The National 9/11 Flag. For more info, see www.National911Flag.org.