Serving as a tribute to the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the Natchez Festival of Music is selling a unique and special edition “Never forget” 9/11 tribute flag as a fundraiser.

The flag has a copyrighted image of The World Trade Center, The Pentagon and United Flight 93, designed by John Maslak, who was on the scene of the Flight 93 crash site within 16 minutes. Sept. 11 is a day that he vows to “Never Forget.”

The Cost of Freedom Flag Company has chosen The Natchez Opera Festival as the charitable organization in the Miss-Lou to sponsor and sell this special edition tribute flag replica.

With the death of Osama Bin Laden every American and business in the United States of America needs to be flying this special flag. It is time we, as Americans, step up and show our patriotism, show our support and love for those families that lost loved ones on 9/11/2001, as well as for all our veterans and active military men and women. May we never forget those who have died in previous wars in order to preserve and protect all the many freedoms that we as Americans enjoy today.

Orders for this flag can be submitted at any Natchez Festival of Music event, www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com or order forms will be available at all local bank lobbies and the Natchez Visitor Reception Center on Canal Street will also have order forms.

The Brown Bag Concert on the River on May 17 at the gazebo on the bluff will be our kickoff for selling this flag.

Tables will be set-up to take orders from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Of course, orders can be mailed to the following address: 100 South Temple Road, Natchez, MS 39120 and allow four to six weeks to receive your flag that will be mailed directly to you.

Please make checks Payable to “The Cost of Freedom Flag, LLC.

The Cost of Freedom Flag Company, LLC is very much a promoter of education and learning for life skills. Therefore, they have established the “Learning for Life 9/11 Flag Scholarship. This scholarship is in the amount of $1,000-plus to the high school student that wins. The criteria for applying for this scholarship is: An essay of 600-800 words on the topic “What this tragic day means to me and my country.”

The winner chosen will have the scholarship money issued directly to the college or university that they will be attending.

John Maslak will be presenting a patriotic program to the area high schools in the Miss-Lou the second week of May. On May 16, they will be at Cathedral High School at 9:30 a.m. and at Trinity Episcopal High School at 12:30 p.m. On May 18, they will be at Natchez High School at 9:30 a.m. Their passion is to instill in young people globally the importance of each one constantly pursuing quality education, integrity, honesty, good character, as well as solid Christian morals in their lives. These characteristics are so important to, not only the young people, but for all people in order for all of us to become successful citizens and leaders of tomorrow.

I look forward to seeing everyone in the Miss-Lou at our many Natchez Festival of Music Events during the Month of May, as well as at the Natchez gazebo on May 17 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to purchase your very own flag and a brown bag lunch while listening to the beautiful music. Let us continue to pray for peace around the world — may God bless America.

Mary Lessley is a retired school teacher and a board member and chairman of flag sales for the Natchez Festival of Music.