[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 126 (Thursday, July 25, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5099-S5100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING THE FREEPORT FLAG LADIES

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to three 
great patriots, three inspiring women, from the town of Freeport, ME. 
Their names are Elaine Greene, Carmen Footer, and JoAnn Miller. They 
are known by our men and women in uniform, veterans, and grateful 
citizens throughout America as the Freeport Flag Ladies.
  On September 11, 2001, an act of terror transformed a beautiful 
Tuesday morning into a day of unfathomable horror. Three days later, 
President Bush asked grief-stricken Americans to step outside their 
homes with lighted candles in memory of the heroes of 9/11 and of the 
nearly 3,000 innocent men, women, and children who perished.
  Living on a secluded road, Elaine, Carmen, and JoAnn instead took 
their candles and an American flag to busy Main Street. Their location 
quickly began a rallying point for all of Freeport, the site of a 
spontaneous, heartfelt memorial service.
  Then they did something even more remarkable. They made a promise to 
stand with their flags on Main Street each and every Tuesday morning 
between the hours of 8 and 9, to mark the day and time of the attacks.
  This coming September 11th will be their final vigil. When that day 
comes, they will have kept their promise for more than 900 consecutive 
Tuesdays, in rain, sleet, and snow, in bitter cold and in blistering 
heat. Carmen, the youngest of the three at 74, says their 
``retirement'' is due solely to the fact that ``Age wins, all the 
time.''
  For the past 4 years, the Freeport Flag Ladies have been joined each 
Tuesday by Darlene Jolly and frequently by Elaine's sister, Amy Gove.
  They have kept their promise, and they have done so much more. From 
2002 to 2016, they spearheaded a wonderful 9/11 tribute in Freeport. 
They have regularly made the long drive to Bangor International 
Airport, to join the legendary Maine Troop Greeters, and to Pease 
International Airport in New Hampshire, to meet the members of our 
Armed Forces as they head overseas or return home. They have greeted 
thousands of soldiers, and they are remembered by them all.
  They have made a special effort to reach out to those who serve our 
country and to their families. Thousands of photographs of outbound 
troops have been sent back home, and families receive a weekly message. 
They have sent packages of games, magazines, and food to troops 
overseas. Parcels to combat support hospitals contain clothing and 
special pillows to make the transport of wounded soldiers more 
comfortable. They have funded these amazing efforts themselves, with 
yard sales, growing and selling ``Flowers for Freedom,'' and donations.
  Describing what Elaine Greene, Carmen Footer, and JoAnn Miller have 
done falls far short of putting into words what the Freeport Flag 
Ladies mean to our country. Perhaps the best words were spoken by 
Elaine: ``Freedom shines on America, so let us shine for America.'' The 
Freeport Flag Ladies shine brightly, and their light will continue to 
inspire us all. Their prayer to be of service was answered with a 
mission to commemorate, to honor, and to remember. They are among those 
throughout our Nation who transformed one of America's darkest days 
into one of our finest hours.
  Mr. KING. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the Flag Ladies of 
Freeport, ME, who will soon retire from their unwavering efforts to 
commemorate the heroes and the victims of the life-changing events that 
occurred on September 11, 2001. Every Tuesday since that day--for 18 
years--the Freeport Flag Ladies have stood on Main Street in Freeport 
in our Nation's colors waving our Nation's flag. First standing to 
honor the lives lost in the 2001 attacks, these ladies have

[[Page S5100]]

continued to stand to support the brave men and women who serve our 
country today. Main Street shall see them wave the red, white, and blue 
for the last time on September 11, 2019.
  In the days after the events of September 11, Elaine Greene, Carmen 
Footer, and Joann Miller were just like the rest of the country: they 
wanted to heal the Nation. So they acted, devoting their time and 
energy to honor and salute those who were lost and those who are 
willing to make the greatest sacrifice our Nation can ask. Since 
beginning their effort, these ladies have not missed a single Tuesday 
to share their message of patriotism and solidarity. Nothing could 
deter them, not the heaviest rains, the coldest snows, the blazing 
summer sun or even a dislocated shoulder. The Freeport Flag Ladies have 
showed up every week--no matter what.
  When troops were deployed to Afghanistan and later Iraq, these women 
took this as an expansion of their mandate--traveling up to Bangor to 
send off soldiers and greet those returning home. The Freeport Flag 
Ladies have given up much themselves to ensure their mission is carried 
out week after week. Their own comfort has been forgone in their 
pursuit to bring comfort to their fellow countrymen. In waving the flag 
and shaking the hands of soldiers, Elaine Greene, Carmen Footer, and 
Joann Miller have represented the best of our Nation and the ideals of 
the flag they wave.
  I want to thank the Freeport Flag Ladies for their commitment to 
honoring both the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and the soldiers 
who are currently serving and defending the United States. Their 
mission is not political. It is clear that what they do is an act of 
love and appreciation for the great sacrifices made by those who serve 
our country. These unwavering patriots are a reminder to the American 
people of what the flag represents. While they may wave their flags for 
the final time on September 11, 2019, the patriotism of these women 
will continue to be remembered and celebrated.

                          ____________________