Every five years in September, a sea of American flags covers Art Hill in Forest Park, the waves rippling as a solemn, breathtaking tribute to the victims of 9/11 and the military heroes who served in the years that followed. This powerful display is the work of Flags of Valor, a St. Louis-based organization founded by Kirkwood couple Rick and Susie Randall. As the 25th anniversary of September 11 approaches, Rick reflects on how it all began and what's next for the organization.
Q: What inspired you and Susie to start Flags of Valor?
A: Susie was inspired by a memorial she saw online; Pepperdine University had lined a grassy hill with flags for every 9/11 victim. We wondered: "Could we recreate something like that in St. Louis on Art Hill?"
Q: How did your early efforts take shape?
A: Our early efforts were grassroots. We were cutting names and taping them onto flags by hand at our kitchen table. It wasn't sophisticated: just 10-foot conduit pipes, printed names, and tape. Still, the setup required significant effort and insurance coverage.
Q: When did the first major installation take place?
A: Our first major installation was for the 10th anniversary of 9/11 in 2011.
Q: What was it like organizing the first event?
A: In the first year, around 100 volunteers pitched in. After a storm toppled the lighter flags, we rallied to straighten 3,000 of them.
Q: When did you add dog tags to the display?
A: By 2016, we honored post-9/11 fallen soldiers with more durable flags and dog tags. The wind would blow and the tags would tink, like they were talking.
Q: Tell us about the 2021 installation.
A: In 2021, we united all honorees: service members, First Responders, and victims. It became our most encompassing tribute yet.
Q: How has the event grown over time?
A: At first, it was just our families. We now have approximately a thousand volunteers. Everyone puts on white gloves, and we make it very formal. This year, there will be 58 rows, each with a team and a team leader who follow a precise plan.
Q: How is the event funded?
A: It costs nearly $500,000 to run, but we've raised $300,000–400,000 to support veteran charities. We insist on American-made, high-quality flags, which contribute to the cost but ensure honor and durability.
Q: How far do families travel to see this display?
A: At our last event, families from 35 states traveled to St. Louis to witness the tribute.
Q: How has the relationship with the city evolved?
A: Forest Park Forever and the St. Louis Parks Department are huge fans now. At first, we had to prove ourselves, but now they roll out the red carpet for us.
Q: What makes Art Hill the ideal location?
A: Art Hill has a perfect slope, better than the flat Arch grounds. It's laid out like Arlington; you can look down any row and it's perfectly aligned. The water and flags together create a visually and emotionally profound effect.
Each flag placed on Art Hill is more than just a symbol; it's a story caught in motion. Like waves upon the sea, they rise and ripple in the wind, echoing the memory of lives once lived. Together, they form a tide of remembrance; an eternal current, resilient even through the fiercest storms. Thanks to Rick and Susie, those stories are not only honored, they're forever carried on the wind.
Each flag on Art Hill is more than a symbol; it's a story caught in motion.