NEW YORK, NY - MAY 21: Groups of children join firefighters, police, members of the military and the public in participating in the ceremonial transfer of the National 9/11 Flag into the The National September 11 Memorial Museum permanent collection on May 21, 2014 in New York City. The giant American Flag, which was flying from a building beside the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 and was later found badly damaged in the debris of ground zero, was unfurled at the World Trade Center site in a ceremony. The flag was refolded and firefighters marched it into the museum. The National September 11 Memorial Museum opened its doors to the general public today. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
This CNN Hero helped restore a 9/11 artifact. He says its message is more relevant than ever

Seeing people across the US come together after the September 11 attacks, CNN Hero Jeff Parness started the nonprofit New York Says Thank You to pay that goodwill forward. The group's work helping other disaster-stricken communities led to an ambitious effort repairing what’s now known as the National 9/11 Flag.

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CNN Heroes 2026 13 videos
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 21: Groups of children join firefighters, police, members of the military and the public in participating in the ceremonial transfer of the National 9/11 Flag into the The National September 11 Memorial Museum permanent collection on May 21, 2014 in New York City. The giant American Flag, which was flying from a building beside the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 and was later found badly damaged in the debris of ground zero, was unfurled at the World Trade Center site in a ceremony. The flag was refolded and firefighters marched it into the museum. The National September 11 Memorial Museum opened its doors to the general public today. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
This CNN Hero helped restore a 9/11 artifact. He says its message is more relevant than ever
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