A traditional, yearly memorial the Duneland community has come to love and appreciate, has resumed its original format of placing 2977 small U.S. flags in the grassy area in front of the CHS Stadium along 11th St. in Chesterton. Each flag bears the name of a soul lost on Sept. 11, 2001 in the tragic attacks on America.
The tradition of placing the small flags in the ground was altered over the past two years, and was replaced with a large flag on the fence during the pandemic. This year, however, volunteers were able to place the small flags in the ground once again.
Each year since 2007, Chesterton High School students and staff members have continued the tradition of the O'Keefe family placing 2977 small U.S. flags in the grassy area in front of the CHS Stadium.
The placing of this year’s 9/11 memorial was organized by CHS staff member Mary Whitmer and volunteers Sarah Hackett, Meghan and Weston Dickey, Norm Whitmer and CHS students Lila Miller and Julia Dietrick. It will be displayed in front of the CHS Stadium through the end of the school day on Tuesday, Sept. 12.
History of the Flag Setting Commemoration at CHS
Kathleen O’Keefe (2008 CHS Grad) started the first commemoration. At the time she was a charter member of the CHS Conservative Club and was assisted in part by her sister Colleen O’Keefe (2011 CHS Grad) and several other volunteers. Together they approached businesses and individuals to donate money to purchase the flags and secured permission from school administration. Colleen would continue the tradition every year thereafter, coordinating volunteers and working with the school planning the event. In 2012, their sister, Kasey O’Keefe (2015 CHS Grad) took the mantle in coordinating the event, approaching students and faculty for volunteers, gaining administration permission and serving as public relations officer. Several volunteers gave their time and energy to this memorial, including her sister Hayley O’Keefe. Hayley continued the tradition until 2016 when she also graduated from CHS.
A Story of Flags
There are 2,977 flags placed on the grass of Chesterton High School. Each flag carries the name of an individual who lost their life in the tragic attacks of September 11, 2001.