When one sees so much tragedy and does not know how to be helpful, one turns usually inward for strength. What can one do when one needs so much to be done? I know the sadness and emptiness of losing one so much loved. Perhaps that was why I was able to find an expression of what can come out of such a day. This moment can never be forgotten. Knowing this emptiness that so many have come to feel from that day, September 11, 2001, gave me an insight as to what was needed at a time when so much was needed.

The only thing that we have learned was that one needs to "Persevere" no matter what has become of our lot. No obstacle will ever stand in my way of doing the right thing. The country needs to heal and make things right. I felt that a symbol of strength and freedom was an expression that I could give my country.

All of the following have received flags in honor of this day to be forever remembered: President George W. Bush, Governor Pataki, Mayor Giuliani, Ground Zero, the County Executive of Nassau County, the Lakeview Fire Department, the West Hempstead Fire Department, West Hempstead School District. They all needed to know that no matter what was being done, there was still more to be done and they should press onward.

The job they were given to do was what only past generations had to deal with. No other generation from this time forward should ever know a tragedy of such a massive lost. No obstacle should be in their way either.

So today I give you "The Poem and The Flag of Perseverance" as my way of contributing to our country. Freedom and liberty are worth protecting and fighting for. The flag of yesterday and today are forever joined together. They symbolize that the strength of the original thirteen colonies are forever with us as an entire nation. We should always be reminded of our humble beginnings. The arrows bent upwards represent this changed direction. We are no longer on that straight path that we once were on. It has been changed forever. We have veered off from our everyday way of this free life. We know first hand that it is a privilege to be an American. This freedom is not something that is owed to us. The freedom and liberties that our forefathers worked so hard to give us has to be realized and protected. A change took place on our watch and we as a country and people must maintain this freedom for our future generations. We must persevere with this strength as a nation, give honor to those who are willing to fight for this freedom of this country and civilization will remain for another day.