Tribute to 9-11 Victims, ‘Patriot Flag’ Will Fly in Wildwood March 30

WILDWOOD — Marvin Hume, 90, a World War II veteran known as “The Flag Man,” for reverential treatment of veterans’ casket flags flown at Sunset Beach and lowered with great ceremony, is looking forward to March 30.
On that day, “The Patriot Flag,” will fly at Wildwoods Convention Center as a tribute to victims of Sept. 11, 2001 and others in public safety service.
The flag, nearly 60 feet long and 30 feet wide, is making its rounds of the nation, 50 States in 50 Weeks.
Hume told the Herald last week he spoke with Wildwood Fire Chief Connie Johnson, who was thrilled his city was being honored with a stop of the famed flag.
Through the work of John Lynch of the Convention Center, details were smoothed for the grand welcome ceremony that is open to all, free of charge, on March 30 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Hume said the 100-piece Lower Cape May Regional Band is expected, as are members of the National Guard and Vietnam Veterans of America, school pupils, scouts and veterans from the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Hume, who has “done the flag ceremony for 38 years” at Sunset Beach, got the message from a caller who stated, “The flag is yours for a day.”
Delivering the flag, Hume said, will be Charlie Giles, who is wheelchair bound, who was one of the first responders at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, when the nation was attacked.
Hume said Giles told him of those first responders who went to the center that day, 991 died.
“It’s a sad story,” said Hume. Of those who perished, 343 were veterans, members of either the VFW or American Legion.
Hume related a story of Janice Pansini, a widow from 9-11, who visited his Sunset Beach ceremony.
“She was in my store, and asked ‘Would you fly my husband’s flag today?’” said Hume.
“I said, ‘I’m sorry, the days are all booked up. I cannot take that person’s flag down.’ She said, ‘Can I read a poem?’” Hume continued.
Pansini said her husband, Paul Pansini, 34, was a Navy veteran, who joined the New York Fire Department, and was assigned to Station Kenhouse on Sept. 11, 2001. That station was closest to the World Trade Center, said Hume. Pansini was one part of a five-member crew who responded to the center crash.
“All five were killed,” said Hume.
He looked at Pansini accompanied by her son, 7, and twin daughters, 3 at the time, said Hume.
Heartbroken, Hume allowed her read that poem. He was so touched by it that he promised that her husband’s flag would fly on Sunset Beach every future Sept. 11.
That is exactly what has taken place for the past nine years, said Hume.
As a tribute, Hume said members of the Coast Guard, West Cape May, Cape May Point, and Lower Township fire companies send contingents to the ceremony, with members in dress uniforms.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, doves are released, and a member of Richard Teitelman School band plays “Taps.”
Such are the people who will be honored by the visit of The Patriot Flag.
According to the World Memorial website, the flag was donated by a group of businessmen, the Escondido Auto Park Association from Escondido, Calif.
It was first flown on a fire truck in San Diego, Calif., on Rescue Truck 29, 6th Battalion on Aug. 16, 2010.
Measuring 30 feet by 57.5 feet, the flag weighs 75 pounds, and is transported free of charge by FedEx Corp.
“The flag belongs to all Americans and has no special connection other than it is big and it is touring the U.S.A.” the site states.
The flag will travel to Pennsylvania, New York City and Washington, D.C. on Sept. 11, 2011. It will fly at Fort McHenry, Md., on Sept. 14, 2011. That is where the flag flew hat inspired Francis Scott Key to write the “Star Spangled Banner.”
The site states the flag has visited 30 states and 76 cities as of March 16, a total off about 67,384 miles.
The coldest weather in which it was flown was in Fairbanks, Alaska, when it was minus 20 degrees. The hottest was in Bullhead City, Ariz., at 100 degrees.
The box in which the flag is shipped weigh about 150 pounds, has four handles and wheels and an extended travel handle.
The website also states, “As this flag tours the country, all 50 states in the union, it will send a message to the world and the families of the loves ones that were lost on 9-11-01. United we stand: “We have Not Forgotten.”
The World Memorial is a registered 501 c 3 federally tax exempt organization.