Local veterans, first responders honored at Flag Day celebration, part of 'Flags for Heroes' event

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (WTVD) -- 600 10-foot American flags are stretched across the fields of RTP Friday morning.

It's part of 'Flags for Heroes', an inaugural event by the Durham Rotary Club, honoring veterans, first responders and local heroes.

To cap off this year's event, many gathered for a Flag Day celebration on Friday, starting at 8:30 a.m. One speaker Durham Mayor Leo Williams said this celebration should not be limited to just one day.

"You should never go a day without giving thanks," he said. "I appreciate all of our heroes...So, let it be woven into your lifestyle, let it be woven into your habits. Let it be woven into your entire being (that) there is a hero that you may or may not know... If you're standing in comfort, they had something to do with it."

The event kicked off last month when dozens of volunteers helped raise those flags. Among them was Larry Campbell, Chairman of the Thomas Mentor Leadership Academy -- the Durham-based group that works with young men through education and community service.

"We can only grow by looking at the past and see where we need to go. If we don't talk about it if we don't share the knowledge that we've gained, then they will never know," Campbell said.

Flags for Heroes is also a fundraising event intended to support local Veterans Affairs and benefit Durham Rotary Club service projects focusing on local veteran support. Each flag can be sponsored to honor not just a veteran or military hero, but any difference maker in the community.

These flags will be raised until Sunday morning.

For more information about the inaugural Flags for Heroes project, click here.

ABC11 proudly sponsors the Durham Rotary Club's Flags for Heroes event.