NC Patriot Guard Riders to distribute 9/11 memorial flags to Wilmington-area fire stations

Wilmington, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Patriot Guard Riders will distribute memorial flags to fire departments in Wilmington and New Hanover County ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The group plans to present the first flag Wednesday at 9 a.m. to Wilmington Fire Chief John Looney at the Wilmington Fire Department headquarters.

After the presentation, Patriot Guard Riders are expected to deliver additional flags to fire stations throughout Wilmington and New Hanover County.

The flags were designed by Wilmington-area resident Gwen Loiacono, who is donating them to the stations.

Organizers say the flags are intended to honor first responders who died in the Sept. 11 attacks, as well as firefighters and emergency personnel who continue to serve their communities.

The Sept. 11 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people, including hundreds of firefighters, police officers and other emergency responders.