San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, veterans and first responders helped raise the 9/11 Memorial Flag outside city hall Tuesday morning as part of its worldwide tour's last stop.
The memorial flag was sewn together from miniature American flags representing each victim in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. It also contains flags from nations that lost citizens in the attacks and of the service organizations that helped with the recovery and rescue efforts.
"It is our duty to remember," San Diego police Chief Shelley Zimmerman told the audience at the flag raising. "We are their legacy, and we will stand tall through the work we do every, single day to protect the citizens of our great city and our wonderful country."
Brian Fennessy, assistant chief at San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, said firefighters are much better prepared to respond to attacks.
"Our firefighters are far better prepared than they were prior to 9/11," he said.
The 22-foot-by-32-foot flag arrived in San Diego last week and was displayed outside the Veterans Museum & Memorial Center in Balboa Park. After its San Diego visit, it will return to New York City.
