Las Olas Riverfront Plaza, 300 SW 1st Avenue
We unrolled the first section with the image “In God We Trust” at this popular public area that is visited by many locals, and tourist. As we explained our mission, people soon began to pick up pens and began signing with much support and interest. We were not sure how people were going to react at first. However, any doubts we had were quickly dispelled as the banner received its first imprints of Peace and Love.
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Fire Department, 4501 Bougainvillea Drive
Oliver Parker, Mayor
Jon Case, Fire Chief
Paige works in an office nearby here, she spoke to the FD about the project. Without hesitation they wanted us to bring it over to their event to share in with the community festivities that had been planned for the day. We received much help and support setting it up under a tent in the parking lot at City Hall. This FD was the first to give us a uniform patch for the banner project. We met with many people throughout the few hours we were there. There was even a couple of school buses from Pine Crest full of students returning from a game that had stopped to participate.
Ft. Lauderdale Beach, A1A & Las Olas Blvd
During the early evening hours we brought the banner to the scheduled 4th of July celebration taking place at the beach. Local Fire and Police Department personnel assisted us in securing the banner, informing people of what we were doing. By the end of the first day, the banner was nearly completely covered with messages. It was also here that we met for the first time a young woman who had personally lost family members in the WTC. The message she wrote on the first section would always be visible to us every day we unrolled the banner. Whenever we grew tired or wary on our journey, we thought of her to give us strength and faith to continue.
WPLG/TV10
Kellie Butler, reporter
