Fayetteville vet lends a stitch to 9/11 flag

In the decade since it flew, tattered but not destroyed, on a building across from ground zero in New York City, the National 9/11 flag has become a symbol of American resilience.

The 30-foot long flag was damaged in the Sept. 11 attacks and suffered further insults during the recovery and clean-up of the site.

The wounded giant was placed in a storage shed for seven years.

Then, another disaster struck, this one in America's heartland. Greensburg, Kansas, was almost flattened by a tornado. On the seventh anniversary of 9/11, the grand old, ragged old flag went to America's heart.

The ladies of Greensburg stitched it back together.

Soon survivors of other American tragedies wanted to add a stitch to these stars and stripes. On Friday, it was Master Sergeant John Masson's turn to take needle and thread. He lost his leg and left hand in a bomb blast in Afghanistan.

99-year-old veteran Walter Moess added his hand as well. "They have really made something very nice out of this, haven't they," he said.

A New York City firefighter founded the 9/11 Flag Organization, which cares for the banner.