Flag in noted photo flying on ship leading U.S. fleet
Tuesday, October 2, 2001
By ELISE YOUNG
Staff Writer - N.J. NEWS
The photo -- three firefighters hoisting a flag atop the World Trade Center ruins -- became an instant symbol of America's resolve in the face of calamity.
Now that very flag is flying high above the deck of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, deployed from Norfolk, Va., as the United States readies for war.
"The flag represents the spirit and courage of all Americans," Adm. Robert J. Natter, commander of the Atlantic Fleet, said in a news release. "It has incredible meaning for all our sailors and Marines, and we're proud to fly it aboard our most powerful warships. It will serve as both a remembrance and as a motivator for our . . . naval forces."
The Theodore Roosevelt is leading all U.S. warships in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. The fleet's location has not been disclosed.
When the carrier returns, its officers will present the flag to the New York City Fire Department, Natter said.
The flag and the men who raised it were captured by Thomas E. Franklin, a photographer for The Record, hours after the Twin Towers collapsed.
Franklin was near the trade center's ruined Building Seven when he spotted Firefighters Dan McWilliams, George Johnson, and Billy Eisengrein raising the flag on a pole plucked from a yacht. The men had anchored the flagpole in rubble about 20 feet above West Street.
The photograph ran in The Record and hundreds of other newspapers and appeared on network television. It immediately drew comparisons to the photo of Marines raising the U.S. flag at Iwo Jima during World War II.
On Sept. 23, New York Gov. George Pataki and New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani signed the flag on its white binding and presented it to Natter. An added inscription in part reads, "FDNY -- Division I -- World Trade Center, September 11, 2001, New York City, USA."
The carrier left U.S. waters four days before the flag was handed over. It arrived Sunday via military aircraft.
"This is a proud moment for the TR and a proud moment for all of America," said the ship's commander, Rear Adm. Mark P. Fitzgerald.
The flag was presented to the ship's fire crew. It will make the rounds to fly aboard each ship in the battle group.
Capt. Rich O'Hanlan, a native New Yorker and the ship's commanding officer, said the flag "represents not only America, but also our courage and determination to overcome all challenges put before us."
He added: "This flag will truly be an inspiration to me and my crew."
On the day the photo was taken, the firefighters who raised the flag were not aware they were making history.
Interviewed later, McWilliams said he and other rescuers were frustrated after digging for six hours and finding no survivors.
"Everybody just needed a shot in the arm," he said. That was the inspiration for grabbing the flagpole.
Johnson recalled the shouts from other firefighters who were watching.
"A few guys yelled out, 'Good job!' and 'Way to go!' " Johnson said.
Staff Writer Elise Young's e-mail address is younge@northjersey.com
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