School Pledges Never to Forget

Nearly 3,000 American flags cover the lawn of Bayport-Blue Point High School, transforming a personal loss into a community-wide tribute marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The effort was spearheaded by Krissy Ungaro, whose father-in-law, retired FDNY Capt. Vincent Ungaro, died about a decade ago from a 9/11-related illness.

“It always held a special place in my heart,” Ungaro said. After seeing similar displays elsewhere, she said, “I got chills, and I wanted to bring it to Bayport.”

The district began planning nearly a year ago. A student designed a patriotic “Phantoms We Will Never Forget” shirt, which the school store produced. In just two weeks, about 200 pieces of apparel were sold, while community members also donated money to purchase flags.

The result was enough funding for 3,000 flags, including 2,977 planted on the high school lawn — one for each person killed in the attacks.

But Ungaro wanted the remembrance to extend beyond those who died that day. A 20-by-30-foot American flag was also purchased and draped across the school auditorium to recognize the thousands who have died or suffered from 9/11-related illnesses.

“It’s not just the people that were lost that day,” Ungaro said. “We have to remember them and honor them as individuals and not as a number.”

Her family’s experience also inspired the Vincent F. Ungaro Memorial Foundation, which raised money to purchase a vehicle for Fire Family Transport.

“What I’m trying to really exemplify is our attitude and how we were so compassionate toward each other the day after the attacks happened,” Ungaro said. “Kind of recreate that September 12th, where everybody comes together.”

Superintendent Bob Haas said the project captured exactly that spirit.

“This effort exemplifies the Bayport-Blue Point community and the spirit of the community in terms of coming together,” Haas said. Teachers, custodians, students and family members all helped plant the flags.

“It’s heartwarming,” Haas said. “It’s what our community is all about.”