More than 3,000 flags catch the breeze on the Sandy City promenade, honoring the many who were killed during the attack on Sept. 11, 2001 and members in the armed forces. 

Sandy City staff members put up the flags every year and every year people from across the state visit. The flags are only up for a brief time, this year they were up from Sept. 9 to 12. It’s been a tradition in the city since 2002.

The Scott family from South Jordan visited to teach their three little girls about the impact of that day.

“I remember that day, so to be able to share it with our kids is kind of interesting and sad, but happy that we get to come and read these people's stories, to remember them,” said Summer Scott. “It is somber and something I will remember forever.”

Vern Coggle, Summer’s father, grew up in Sandy.

“I'm really proud of Sandy, because there's not a lot of other municipalities that have kind of went the extra mile to remember this day,” Coggle said. “And now that Sandy is doing this, it's just…I really want to bring my grandchildren, teach them and show them.”

“It still chokes me up,” Coggle said.

Attached to each flag is a note with the story of someone who lost their life that day, Coggle called this the “biggest impact” of the event.

Several sections of flags exist at the event, including one dedicated to Utahns who lost their lives.

Shannon Hall, who was visiting from Lehi, comes with her wife every year but just found the section located closest to Sandy City Hall.

“This is the perfect description [of the feeling here],” Hall said tearing up. “I get like this every time. And I don't like crying in front of people, so that shows you how emotional it makes me.”

“I wish more people would come out and see it,” she said. “Maybe it would bring back that feeling that we, you know, when we liked each other. That would be nice.”

Colonial Flag has been a part of the event for the past 21 years until this year, per the Colonial Flag Foundation. Proceeds from the event throughout the years have been donated to many local charities.