The National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 visits Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

Veterans are acknowledged for their service as the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 visits Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

A Hines veteran listens as the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 visits Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

People wait in line to stitch the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 visits Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

Carolyn Deters assists a Hines veteran stitch the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 visits Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

Hines VA Director Sharon Helman stitches the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, at Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

Veteran Bob Smith of Rolling Meadows stitches the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, at Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

Carolyn Deters assists a Hines veteran stitch the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 visits Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

Carolyn Deters assists veteran William Diamond stitch the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 visits Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

FDNY firefighter Jimmy Sands stands as honor guard over the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 which visited Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

Richard Rosado of the Chicago Fire Department stands as honor guard over the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 which visited Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

The National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 visits Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country, as Denny Deters of the New York says Thank You Foundation speaks. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

Pitcher Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox stops by to greet veterans and see the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 during a visit to Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

Carolyn Deters assists Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff as an honored Local Hero for stitching the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 1, during a visit to Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

Joyce Hoff nominated her husband, Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff as an honored Local Hero for stitching the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 1, during a visit to Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

FDNY firefighter Jimmy Sands, greets Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff as an honored Local Hero for stitching the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 1, during a visit to Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

Veteran Matt Charlier of the Warriors Watch Riders hugs Chris Smith, who nominated him as an honored Local Hero for stitching the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 1, during a visit to Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

Pitcher Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox meets Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff and his wife, Joyce, while stopping to see the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 during a visit to Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

Michael Hoff, Hines veteran and brother of Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff stitches as an honored Local Hero for stitching the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 1, during a visit to Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. Michael Hoff was severely injured while serving his country in Viet Nam in 1967. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times

Michael Hoff, Hines veteran and brother of Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff, and an honored Local Hero is assisted by sister Sue Hoff and Carolyn Deters, while stitching the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center on Sept. 1, during a visit to Hines VA Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for an official stitching ceremony to repair it in whole by Americans across the country. Michael Hoff was severely injured while serving his country in Viet Nam in 1967. | Jean Lachat~Sun-Times