Gold Star families help raise flags on Art Hill

ST. LOUIS - As the sun rises over Art Hill on the day before 9/11, a small group of people stand in silence, reflecting and marveling at the beauty displayed in front of them. More than 7,000 American flags cover the iconic hill. Each flag represents a first responder killed on 9/11 or a military hero killed in action since that fateful day.

"I think the majesty will give everyone who comes here an idea of the scope of the sacrifices made so we can have the lives we have here," said organizer Rick Randall.

Randall's first Flags of Valor display on Art Hill was in 2011 for the 10-year anniversary of 9/11. He got the idea from a flag display he witnessed a year earlier in California.

Randall said nearly 1,000 volunteers played a role in the 20th anniversary tribute.

"I just struck the match. A thousand people joined me. St. Louis is an amazing place. I'm not sure if there's another town or city that could do this because the patriotism just shines through," Randall said.

Some of the volunteers know firsthand the sacrifice the flags represent. When the flags were going up on Labor Day weekend, Chris Andrews and her team comprised of Gold Star families were in the middle of the action.

"To see this go up and to see every fallen soldier honored is amazing," Andrews said with tears in her eyes.